REDEEMING GRACE

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON

Senior Division, No. 296, Second Quarter, 1969

THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY

"As a means of intellectual training, the opportunities of the Sabbath are

invaluable. Let the Sabbath School lesson be learned, not by a hasty glance at

the lesson scripture on Sabbath morning, but by careful study for the next week

on Sabbath afternoon, with daily review or illustration during the week. Thus

the lesson will become fixed in the memory, a treasure never to be wholly lost."

—Counsels on Sabbath School Work,

page 43.

My Daily Lesson Study Pledge

As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I

pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath

School lesson each day of the week.

Nana



Lesson Titles for the Quarter

Redemptive Activity of the Godhead

The Unchanging Purpose of God

Grace Revealed in the Life of Jesus

Grace and the Cross of Calvary

Paul's Teachings of Redeeming Grace

Justification by Faith Through Grace

Grace and the Sanctified Life

Redeeming Grace and the Law

God's Grace and Christian Perfection

10.

The Grace of God and the Covenants of the Bible

11.

Redeeming Grace and Predestination

12.

Redeeming Grace and Christian Fellowship

13.

Grace and Power in the Remnant Church

NorE.—All Scripture references quoted from Phillips were taken from

The New

Testament in Modern English

J. B.

the Macmillan Company.

All Scripture references quoted from the NEB are from

The New English Bible,

copy-

right by The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge

University Press, 1961. Used by permission of the Oxford University Press, Inc., New

York City.

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Probably you have already noticed that the lessons

for this quarter are entitled "Redeeming Grace,"

but did you know that a very special new book is

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REDEEMING GRACE

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Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly

REDEEMING GRACE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

"Grace" is one of the supremely impor-

tant words in both Christian theology and

Christian experience.

Its importance in theology can be seen

from the fact that the whole gospel is

called "the gospel of the grace of God."

Acts 20:24.

"We ourselves owe everything to God's

free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained

our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected

our redemption, our regeneration, and our

exaltation to heirship with Christ. Let

this grace be revealed to

others."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 250.

The importance of God's grace in human

experience may be seen from the statement

that "Christ's favorite theme was the pa-

ternal tenderness and abundant grace of

God."—Ibid.,

p. 40.

"Practically, it [grace] implies God's pres-

ence and redemptive power in human life."

—W. H. Griffith Thomas,

Grace and Power

(London: Pickering & Inglis), page 85.

May these lessons lead us to realize the

sufficiency of redeeming grace in our own

lives

Cor. 9:8; 12:9), and may the

inexpressible glory of this grace flow out-

ward to become saving grace to others.

Lesson 1, for April 5, 1969

Redemptive Activity of the Godhead

MEMORY VERSE: "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation

of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."

Eph. 1:4.

STUDY HELPS: "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 34, 35, 63-66; "The Desire of

Ages," pages 19, 20; "The Ministry of Healing," pages 161-163; "SDA Bible

Commentary."

STUDY AIM: To gain a better understanding of God's plan for salvation devised

before creation as a free gift for all men, and His continuing desire that all

should be saved.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Redemption Planned Before Man's

Creation

1. Divine wisdom in the beginning.

Prov. 8:1, 22, 23.

Eternal relationship of the

Father and the Son. John 1:1-3, 14;

17:5, 24.

Divine activities in the beginning.

Rev. 13 :8 ; Eph. 1:3, 4 ; 1 Peter

1:18-20.

Divine purpose for man.

2 Tim. 1:9.

[

II. The Nature of Grace

The means of revelation.

John 1:14, 17.

The results of grace in the life.

Rom. 3:24.

The definition of grace.

The Ministry of Healing,

page 161.

Adam's fall and redeeming grace.

Gen. 3:2, 6, 15.

III. Universal Grace

9. Needed by all men. Rom. 3:23-25.

10. Available to all men.

1 Tim. 2:4, 6; Titus 2:11.

11. Assures salvation as God desired.

2 Peter 3:9.

12. Efficacious in all who come to

God. John 6:44, 45; 1 Cor. 15:10.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"The history of the great conflict between

good and evil, from the time it first began

in heaven to the final overthrow of rebel-

lion and the total eradication of sin, is also

a demonstration of God's unchanging love.

"The Sovereign of the universe was not

alone in His work of beneficence. He had

an associate-a co-worker who could ap-

preciate His purposes, and could share His

joy in giving happiness to created beings.

`In the beginning was the Word, and the

Word was with God, and the Word was

God. The same was in the beginning with

God.' John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the

only-begotten of God, was one with the eter-

nal Father-one in nature, in character, in

purpose-the only Being that could enter

into all the counsels and purposes of

God. 'His name shall be called Wonder-

ful, Counselor, The mighty God, The

everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'

Isaiah 9:6. His 'goings forth have been

from of old, from everlasting.' Micah

5:2.

And the Son of God declares concerning

Himself: 'The Lord possessed Me in the

beginning of His way, before His works

of old. I was set up from everlasting. . . .

When He appointed the foundations of the

earth: then I was by Him, as one brought

up with Him: and I was daily His delight,

rejoicing always before Him.' Proverbs 8:

22-30."-Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages

33, 34.

Redemption Planned Before

Man's Creation

1. What does the wise man de-

clare concerning "wisdom"? Prov. 8:

22, 23.

NOTE.

-"The

Son of God declares con-

cerning Himself: [Prov. 8:22-30 quoted]."

-Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 34.

2. How is the eternal relationship

between the Father and the Son ex-

pressed? John 1:1-3, 14; 17:5, 24.

NoTE.-Eternal Wisdom appeared to men

as the eternal Word. He was eternally

glorious (John 17:5) and eternally be-

loved (John 17:24).

3. What activities of the Godhead

prior to creation are revealed in the

written Word? Rev.

13:8;

Eph. 1:3, 4;

1 Peter 1:18-20. Compare Rev. 17:8.

NOTE.

-"The

Son of God, heaven's glo-

rious Commander, was touched with pity

for the fallen race. His heart was moved

with infinite compassion as the woes of

the lost world rose up before Him. But

divine love had conceived a plan whereby

man might be redeemed."-Patriarchs

and

Prophets,

page 63.

4. In what words does Paul show

that God's eternal purpose for man-

kind was one of gracious redemption?

2 Tim. 1:9.

NOTE.-Every

believer lives "in hope of

eternal life, which God, that cannot lie,

promised before the world began." Titus

]

1:2. The grace of God existed before the

world was made.

"God's wonderful purpose of grace, the

mystery of redeeming love, is the theme

into which 'angels desire to look,' and it

will be their study throughout endless

ages."—The Desire of Ages,

page 19.

The Nature of Grace

How was divine grace revealed

to men, and with what was it associ-

ated? John 1:14, 17.

NOTE.—There was a special revelation of

divine grace and truth through Christ's

earthly life, but grace has been poured upon

men in all ages by our Lord Jesus Christ.

"What privilege, then, was theirs who for

three years were in daily contact with that

divine life from which has flowed every life-

giving impulse that has blessed the world !"

—Gospel Workers,

page 508.

What great words does Paul as-

sociate with grace? Rom. 3:24.

Nom—Justification comes when we con-

fess our sins, and when we "accept the

righteousness of Christ. His blood atones

for our sins. His obedience is accepted for

us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy

Spirit will bring forth 'the fruits of the

Spirit.' Through the grace of Christ we

shall live in obedience to the law of God

written upon our

hearts."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 372.

How has grace been defined?

ANSWER.—No specific definition of grace

is given in the Bible, but the Scriptures

reveal grace exemplified in human lives.

Outside the Bible, grace has been defined

as follows:

"To learn of Christ means to receive

His grace, which is His character."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 271.

"Grace is an attribute of God exercised

toward undeserving human beings. We did

not seek for it, but it was sent in search

[ 6 ]

of us. God rejoices to bestow His grace

upon us, not because we are worthy, but

because we are so utterly unworthy. Our

only claim to His mercy is our great need."

—The Ministry of Healing,

page 161.

From this we can see that grace is really

the outgoing of God's living power and

love to seek out, and provide redemption

for, lost mankind.

"Grace is God's Mercy pitying. . .

Grace is God's Wisdom planning. . . .

Grace is God's Power preparing. . . . Grace

is God's Love providing. . . .

"Grace is the character of God, including

mercy and truth, righteousness and peace.

Grace is the union of love and holiness, the

very foundation of the nature of God in

Christ."—W. H. Griffith Thomas,

Grace

and Power

(London: Pickering & Inglis),

pages 86-89.

What experience of our first par-

ents made redeeming grace necessary?

Gen. 3:2, 6, 15. Compare Gen. 1:31;

2:16, 17.

Universal Grace

What proof is given that all men

need and may obtain the redeeming

grace freely offered by our Saviour?

Rom. 3:23-25.

10.

What New Testament state-

ments reveal that all men were in-

cluded in the plan of redemption?

For how many did Jesus die? 1 Tim.

2:4, 6; Titus 2:11.

NOTE.—" 'The grace of God that bringeth

salvation hath appeared to

all

men.' This

is good and acceptable in the sight of God

our Saviour; who will have

all men

to be

saved, and to come unto the knowledge of

the truth. For there is one God, and one

mediator between God and men, the Man

Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom

for

all.'

Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:3-6. The

Spirit of God is freely bestowed to enable

every man to lay hold upon the means of

salvation. Thus Christ, 'the true Light,'

`lighteth every man that cometh into the

world.' John 1:9. Men fail of salvation

through their own willful refusal of the gift

of life."-The

Great Controversy,

pages

261, 262.

11. What was God's desire con-

cerning the human family? 2 Peter

3:9.

NoTE.-That God's grace is offered to

all is clearly seen in these words: "For the

grace of God that bringeth salvation hath

appeared to all men." Titus 2:11. This

grace becomes effective only to those who

repent.

12. Upon what is man dependent

in order to accept the salvation offered

in Christ? John 6:44, 45; 1 Cor. 15:10.

NOTE.-"There

must be a power work-

ing from within, a new life from above, be-

fore men can be changed from sin to holi-

ness. That power is Christ. His grace alone

can quicken the lifeless faculties of the

soul, and attract it to God, to holiness."-

Steps to Christ,

page 18.

Lesson 2, for April 12, 1969

The Unchanging Purpose of God

MEMORY VERSE:

"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have

loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I

drawn thee." Jer. 31:3.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," pages 483-485; "Patriarchs and Proph-

ets," pages 65-69, 105-107; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To gain a better understanding and appreciation of God's love for

mankind, and the glory of His saving grace in His redeemed people.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. God's Purposes of Grace

The glory of His grace.

Eph. 1:4-6.

The work of Christ for His church.

Eph. 5:25-27.

The exaltation of God.

1 Cor. 15:28 (last clause).

II. The Unchanging Love of God

Love a motive in creation.

Gen. 1:26-28.

Conflict the result of disobedience.

Gen. 3:15.

Mercy and love the basis of God's

covenant with Noah. Gen. 9:11-16.

7. Gracious foreknowledge in the

promise of the coming Redeemer.

Gen. 12:3.

III. The Persistence of God's Gracious

Love

The outstretched arm to save.

Hosea 12:13 ; 13:5; Amos 2:9, 10;

3:1, 2.

The arms of everlasting love.

Jer. 31:1-3.

10.

The divine choice of Israel.

Deut. 7:7, 8.

11.

The forgiveness of sin. Ex. 34:6-9.

12.

The pardon of man. Isa. 44:22;

43:25.

13.

The remnant of grace. Rom. 11:1-5.

]

THE LESSON

spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, 0

God, Thou wilt not despise.' Psalm 51:17.

And to the accuser of His people He de-

clares: The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan;

even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem

rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked

out of the fire?' Zechariah

3:2.

Christ will

clothe His faithful ones with His own

righteousness, that He may present them

to His Father 'a glorious church, not having

spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.'

"—The

Great Controversy,

page 484.

What is the ultimate purpose of

God through the completed plan of

salvation? 1 Cor. 15:28 (last clause).

Introduction

"The history of nations speaks to us

today. To every nation and to every in-

dividual God has assigned a place in His

great plan. Today men and nations are

being tested by the plummet in the hand

of Him who makes no mistake. All are

by their own choice deciding their destiny,

and God is overruling all for the accom-

plishment of His purposes."—Prophets

and

Kings,

page 536.

"The Word of God, like the character of

its divine Author, presents mysteries which

can never be fully comprehended by finite

beings. It directs our minds to the Creator,

who dwelleth 'in the light which no man

can approach unto.' It presents to us His

purposes, which embrace all the ages of

human history, and which will reach their

fulfillment only in the endless cycles of

eternity. It calls our attention to subjects

of infinite depth and importance relating

to the government of God and the destiny

man."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 699.

God's Purposes of Grace

What was God's purpose in the

creation and redemption of man?

Eph. 1:4-6. Compare Eph. 2:7.

In carrying out the divine pur-

poses of redeeming grace, what did

Christ do for His church? Eph. 5:

25-27.

NoTE.—It is an act of divine grace that

allows believers 'to be clothed in the spot-

less robe of Christ's righteousness.

"While Jesus is pleading for the subjects

of His grace, Satan accuses them before

God as transgressors. . . .

"Jesus does not excuse their sins, but

shows their penitence and faith, and, claim-

ing for them forgiveness, He lifts His

wounded hands before the Father and the

holy angels, saying: I know them by name.

I have graven them on the palms of My

hands. 'The sacrifices of God are a broken

NOTE.—"Since God, by virtue of His

perfection, must always wish the highest,

and since He Himself, by virtue of His

Deity,

the highest, He must always have

that which is within His own nature as the

goal of His will. Therefore must His work

be so ordered that it may lead

to Him

and

have its end

in Him.

Thus the purpose of

the creation of the world must consist in

the unfolding, setting forth, and displaying

of the glory of God. Himself is its begin-

ning, middle, and ultimate objective, the

first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega.

(Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2)."—

Erich Sauer,

The Dawn of World Re-

demption

(London: The Paternoster Press,

1951), pages 23, 24.

However important individual men are

in the, plan of redemption, we must re-

member that a world of men saved from

sin will glorify God beyond all else. See

The Great Controversy,

page 673, para-

graph 2. Compare Rev. 5:13.

The Unchanging Love of God

4. How is the creation of man de-

scribed? Gen. 1:26-28.

NoTE.—"Love [is] the basis of creation

and of redemption."—Counsels

to Parents,

Teachers, and Students,

page 32.

"All created things testify to His power,

His wisdom, His

love."—Testimonies,

Vol.

8, p. 265.

In what words was God's first

promise to redeem sinful man given?

What dual purpose was to be served

by this plan? Gen. 3:15.

NOTE.—"To man the first intimation of

redemption was communicated in the sen-

tence pronounced upon Satan in the gar-

den."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 65.

"But the plan of redemption had a yet

broader and deeper purpose than the sal-

vation of man. It was not for this alone

that Christ came to the earth ; it was not

merely that the inhabitants of this little

world might regard the law of God as it

should be regarded; but it was to vindi-

cate the character of God before the uni-

verse. . . . The act of Christ in dying for

the salvation of man would not only make

heaven accessible to men, but before all the

universe it would justify God and His Son

in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan."

—Ibid.,

pp. 68, 69.

After the Flood destroyed the

antediluvian world, what covenant of

mercy and love did God make with

man? Gen. 9:11-16.

NOTE.—"How great the condescension of

God and His compassion for His erring

creatures in thus placing the beautiful rain-

bow in the clouds as a token of His cov-

enant with men ! The Lord declares that

when He looks upon the bow, He will re-

member His covenant. . . . Thus from

generation to generation it would testify

of divine love to man and would strengthen

his confidence in God.. . .

"With the assurance given to Noah con-

cerning the Flood, God Himself has linked

one of the most precious promises of His

grace: 'As I have sworn that the waters

of Noah should no more go over the earth;

so have I sworn that I would not be wroth

with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the moun-

tains shall depart, and the hills be re-

moved; but My kindness shall not depart

from thee, neither shall the covenant of

My peace be removed, saith Jehovah

that hath mercy on

thee.'"—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

pages 106, 107.

What gracious promise in the

patriarchal age contained the proph-

ecy of a numerous progeny and the

appearance of the world's Redeemer?

Gen. 12:3. Compare Gal. 3:8, 9, 16.

NOTE.—"There was given to Abraham

the promise, especially dear to the people

of that age, of a numerous posterity and

of national greatness: 'I will make of thee

a great nation, and I will bless thee, and

make thy name great; and thou shalt be

a blessing.' And to this was added the

assurance, precious above every other to

the inheritor of faith, that of his line the

Redeemer of the world should come."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 125.

The Persistence of God's

Gracious Love

How do the prophets state the

initiative of God in the rescue of His

people from ancient captivity? Hosea

12:13; 13:5; Amos 2:9, 10; 3:1, 2.

NoTE.—"Brought Israel out of Egypt,"

"I did know thee in the wilderness," "I

brought you up from the land of Egypt,"

"Led you forty years through the wilder-

ness," "You only have I known"—these

and many similar expressions reveal the

paternal outgoing love of God for His

people, despite their many transgressions.

In what endearing terms is God's

love expressed toward His people?

Jer. 31:1-3.

Nora.—"Loving-kindness" in Jeremiah

31:3 is a word first used by the Bible

translator Miles Coverdale in 1535, and

comes from the Hebrew word

chesed,

word often used to express the unswerving

covenant love of God. When it is used

of God it is one of the background words

which lead on to the word "grace"

(charis)

in the New Testament.

10.

What reason is given for the

Lord's choice of Israel as His own

people? Deut. 7:7, 8. Compare Deut.

4:37.

NOTE.—"In this relation [that of grace

as a personal relationship] God has the

initiative. He loves the people of Israel for

no reason whatever, without any merit

on their part (Deut. 4:37; 10:15; Hosea

3:1; 11:1). The election of Israel is thus

grounded on the grace of God (Deut. 7:

7-8; 9:5-6)."—J. J. Von Allmen,

Vocabu-

lary of the Bible,

Art. "Grace" (London:

Lutterworth Press, 1958), page 158.

11.

What did Moses associate with

God's grace toward sinful men? Ex.

34:6-9. Compare Ps. 32:5.

NoTE.—"Notwithstanding our unwor-

thiness, we are to remember that there is

One who can take away sin, and who is

willing and anxious to save the sinner.

With His own blood He paid the penalty

for all wrongdoers. Every sin acknowledged

before God with a contrite heart, He will

remove [Isa. 1:18; Heb. 9:13, 14 quoted]."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 970.

12.

How is redemption associated

with the blotting out of sin? For the

sake of what two parties are sins

forgiven? Isa. 44:22; 43:25.

NoTE.—The sinner needs forgiveness in

order to be saved; God extends forgive-

ness because it is the glory of His gracious

nature to do so.

"Satan in his efforts to deceive and

tempt our race had thought to frustrate

the divine plan in man's creation; but

Christ now asks [in the investigative judg-

ment] that this plan be carried into effect

as if man had never fallen. He asks for

His people not only pardon and justifica-

tion, full and complete, but a share in His

glory and a seat upon His throne."—The

Great Controversy,

page 484.

Forgiveness and cleansing from sin were

the provisions of God's "new covenant"

of grace in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

13.

Through whom has God pre-

served His truth in times of general

apostasy? Rom. 11:1-5. Compare Rev.

12:17.

NOTE.—"SO too at the present time

there is a remnant, chosen by grace." Rom.

11:5, RSV.

"The Father sets His love upon His elect

people who live in the midst of men. These

are the people whom Christ has redeemed

by the price of His own blood ; and be-

cause they respond to the drawing of

Christ, through the sovereign mercy of

God, they are elected to be saved as His

obedient children. Upon them is mani-

fested the free grace of God, the love

wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone

who will humble himself as a little child,

who will receive and obey the Word of

God with a child's simplicity, will be

among the elect of God."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

6, p. 1114.

Lesson 3, for April 19, 1969

Grace Revealed in the Life of Jesus

MEMORY VERSE:

"And of His fullness

have all we received, and grace for grace.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

John 1:16, 17.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," chapters 19, 62; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To discover in

the life of Jesus the revelation of God's grace and

the motivating power throughout Christ's

life even to

the hour when He hung

on the cross.

[10]

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Saving Grace

The fullness of saving grace.

Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:28, 30-33.

The way of salvation. Eph. 2:4-8.

The manifestation of redeeming

grace. Luke 4:22; 7:21-23.

II. Continuing Grace

The example of Christ. John 1:14.

The abundant supply. John 1:16.

The multiplied gifts. Rom. 5:15

(last part).

III. Grace in Christ's Teachings

The fruitful example. Luke 7:36-

38, 47, 48.

The rescued sinner. Luke 14:16-24.

The powerful Word. John 4:9, 19,

29, 30.

IV. The Initiative of Grace in

Seeking the Lost

10.

The inner compulsion. Mark 1:38.

11.

The gift of eternal life. Mark

10:24-27.

12.

The conversion on the cross.

Luke 23:39-43.

THE LESSON

antiquity had sounded the promise, `Lo, I

come' (Ps. 40:7; Zech. 2:10; Heb. 10:7).

For centuries the Hebrew people-His peo-

ple-had waited expectantly for the com-

ing of their Deliverer. Now, 'when the

fulness of time was come' (Gal. 4:4), the

finger of destiny pointed to the One who

was to fulfill these expectations."-SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Matt. 1:21.

Introduction

"To learn of Christ means to receive His

grace, which is His character."-Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 271.

"Never had the world's great men such

a teacher. When the disciples came forth

from the Saviour's training, they were no

longer ignorant and uncultured. They had

become like Him in mind and character,

and men took knowledge of them that they

had been with Jesus... .

"What privilege, then, was theirs who

for three years were in daily contact with

that divine life from which has flowed

every life-giving impulse that has blessed

the world! Above all his companions, John

the beloved disciple yielded himself to the

power of that wondrous life. He says, 'The

life was manifested, and we have seen it,

and bear witness, and show unto you that

eternal life, which was with the Father,

and was manifested unto us.' Of His full-

ness have all we received, and grace for

grace.'

"-The Desire of Ages,

page 250.

Saving Grace

1. In

the announcement to Joseph

and Mary what was prophesied con-

cerning Jesus? Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:28,

30-33.

NoTE.-The word

Jesus

means "God is

salvation."

"Echoing down through the ages of

What important aspect of the

way of salvation does Paul emphasize

by repetition? Eph. 2:4-8.

NoTE.-"Not only mercy but 'rich in

mercy.' Not only love but 'His great love

wherewith He loved us.' Not only grace

but 'the exceeding riches of His grace.'

And to make it still more beautifully hu-

man, the culminating point is 'His kind-

ness toward us through Christ Jesus.' And

then this is seen to be the source of our

salvation. Tor by grace are ye saved,

through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God' (Eph. ii:8). It is

grace



. . that purposed salvation, grace

that purchased it, grace that proclaimed it,

and it is grace that applies it to our souls."

-W. H. Griffith Thomas,

Grace and Power

(London: Pickering & Inglis), page 90.

How were the words and power

of redeeming grace evident in the life

of Jesus? Luke 4:22; 7:21-23. Com-

pare Acts 10:38.

NoTE.—"They were surprised that words

of such grace should fall from His lips."

Luke 4:22, NEB.

Continuing Grace

How does John describe Christ

as the embodiment of God's grace?

John 1:14.

NoTE.—The focal point in all of Christ's

work was the redeeming love and grace of

God. John caught the glory of grace in

Christ and gives the striking description of

Christ as "full of grace and truth." It was

left for Paul to take the word

charis,

"grace," and give it the full New Testa-

ment meaning of power to save to the

uttermost, and to systematize the doctrine

of grace for future generations. Thus Jesus

was the living embodiment of the grace

that the disciples expounded and sought

for earnestly.

What did John say about the

supplies of grace made available to

the believer through Jesus Christ?

John 1:16.

NOTE.—"Grace for grace," may be ren-

dered "grace upon grace." The more we

appropriate, the more is bestowed.

"The truth of God received into the

heart is able to make you wise unto sal-

vation. In believing and obeying it you

will receive grace sufficient for the duties

and trials of

today."—Testimonies,

Vol. 3,

p. 333.

"No amount of past experience will

suffice for the present nor strengthen us

to overcome the difficulties in our path. We

must have new grace and fresh strength

daily in order to be victorious."—Ibid.,

p. 541.

What has been the result of the

initial saving grace of God? Rom. 5:

15 (last part).

NoTE.—God's grace leads us to initial

belief and salvation. Acts 15:11; 18:27.

Since its first manifestation grace continues

to operate and produces changed lives in

believers. Thus Barnabas saw the grace of

God in the changed lives of the saints in

Antioch. Acts 11:23. When Stephen's life

was changed, he was "full of faith and

power." Acts 6:8. (Instead of "faith" many

manuscripts read "grace.")

"If you live upon the plan of addition,

adding grace to grace, God will multiply

unto you His

grace."—Testimonies,

Vol. 4,

p. 244.

Grace in Christ's Teachings

What exchange of gifts in Christ's

contact with a grateful woman illus-

trates the glory of grace in action?

Luke 7:36-38, 47, 48.

Not

E.—Forgiveness of sin (verse 48), as

a work of redeeming grace, was a marvelous

gift for a woman who gave her all in a

box of expensive fragrance.

"Kingdoms would rise and fall; the

names of monarchs and conquerors would

be forgotten; but this woman's deed would

be immortalized upon the pages of sacred

history. Until time should be no more,

that broken alabaster box would tell the

story of the abundant love of God for a

fallen race."—The

Desire of Ages,

page

563.

"Through His grace she [Mary] became

a partaker of the divine nature. The one

who had fallen, and whose mind had been

a habitation of demons, was brought very

near to the Saviour in fellowship and min-

istry."—Ibid.,



568.

What does the parable of the

great supper teach as to the initiative

of divine grace? Luke 14:16-24.

NoTE.—Notice some of what may be

called the "grace" words and phrases in

this passage: (1) "Made a great supper."

"Christ [here] represents the blessings of-

fered through the

gospel."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

page 222. (2) "And bade many,"

or "invited many." The Pharisees invited

the "best people," but the gospel of redeem-

ing grace embraces the whole human fam-

ily. "The Lord desires that His word of

[ 12

grace shall be brought home to every soul."

—Ibid.,

p. 229; (3) "Sent his servant . . .

to say . . . Come; for all things are now

ready." "The power of God's love and

grace constrains us to come."—Ibid., p.

235; (4) "Go out into the highways and

hedges, and compel them to come in."

There are high and low, humble and

haughty, rich and poor in all lands to be

reached. "Let the stewards of the mani-

fold grace of God seek out these souls,

visit their homes, and through the power

of the Holy Spirit minister to their needs."

—Ibid.,

p. 234. "We are living in a time

when the last message of mercy, the last

invitation, is sounding to the children of

men. . . 'Come; for all things are now

ready.'

"—Ibid.,

p. 237.

What two things about Jesus

amazed the woman at Jacob's well,

and what was the result? John 4:9, 19,

29, 30.

Nom:E.—That a Jew should address a

Samaritan, and a sinful woman at that,

was a manifestation of the outgoing grace

of Christ.

"The water that Christ referred to was

the revelation of His grace in His Word.

His Spirit, His teaching, is as a satisfying

fountain to every soul. . .



In Christ is

fullness of joy forevermore. . . . Christ's

gracious presence in His Word is ever

speaking to the soul, representing Him as

the well of living water to refresh the thirst-

ing."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bi-

ble Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1134.

The Initiative of Grace in

Seeking the Lost

10.

What reason was given by Je-

sus for going from Capernaum into

the neighboring country towns? Mark

1:38. Compare Luke 4:43.

NOTE.—"Whosoever shall receive Me, re-

ceiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me."

Mark 9:37. (See also Matt. 15:24, where

Jesus acknowledges His divine mission of

grace to "the house of Israel.")

"The virtues of repentance are gloriously

praised in the rabbinical literature, but

this direct search for, and appeal to, the

sinner, are new and moving notes of high

import and significance. The good shepherd

who searches for the lost sheep, and re-

claims it, and rejoices over it, is a new

figure."—Montefiore,

The Synoptic Gospels,

2nd ed., Vol. ii, p. 520, quoted in Moffatt,

Grace in the New Testament

(London:

Hodder and Stoughton, 1931), page 76.

11.

How did the disciples react

when Jesus told the rich young ruler

that more than a strict observance of

the law was involved in salvation, and

what did Jesus say in reply? Mark

10:24-27.

NoTE.—"Who then can be saved?" The

disciples were tainted with the prevalent

merit-religion ideas, reasoning that obedi-

ence, sacrifice, and service, apart from true

heart religion, could earn the kingdom. The

disciples had yet to find God's way of

granting the eternal life that the young

ruler wanted. The secret of the obedient

life is not mere human works, but Christ

within man's heart by grace through faith.

(See Gal. 2:20, 21.)

" 'This is the record, that God hath given

to us eternal life, and this life is in His

Son. He that hath the Son hath life.' 1 John

5:11, 12. And Jesus said, 'I will raise him

up at the last day.' Christ became one

flesh with us, in order that we might be-

come one spirit with Him. It is by virtue

of this union that we are to come forth

from the grave—not merely as a mani-

festation of the power of Christ, but be-

cause, through faith, His life has become

ours."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 388.

12.

How late in His earthly life do

we find Jesus extending His saving

grace to seeking sinners? Luke 23:

39-43.

NOTE.—"He calls to mind all he has

heard of Jesus, how He has healed the sick

and pardoned sin. . . . The Holy Spirit

illuminates His mind, and little by little the

[ 13 ]

chain of evidence is joined together. . . .

'Lord, remember me,' he cries, 'when Thou

comest into Thy kingdom.'

"Quickly the answer came. Soft and

melodious the tone, full of love, compassion,

and power the words: Verily I say unto

thee today, Thou shalt be with me in

Paradise."-The

Desire of Ages,

page 750.

"All His life Christ had been publishing

to a fallen world the good news of the

Father's mercy and pardoning love."-

Ibid.,

p. 753.

Lesson 4, for April 26, 1969

Grace and the Cross of Calvary

MEMORY VERSE:

"That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to

comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and

height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye

might be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph.

3:1 7-1 9.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," chapters 79, 81; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To gain a greater appreciation of the supreme outpouring of redeem-

ing grace in the gift of God's Son to die for our sins.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Central Act of the Cross

The supreme act of divine love.

John 3:16; Rom. 5:8.

The sanctification of the people.

Heb. 13:12.

The universal interest. 1 Peter 1:12.

II. Grace Poured Out at the Cross

Some gifts of grace. Rom. 1:5.

More gifts of grace. Col. 1:20-22.

Some deep experiences in grace.

Eph. 1:6, 7.

The power of grace. Acts 4:33.

III. Divine Grace Meets Man's

Need at the Cross

God's love commended. Rom. 5:6-8.

God's finished work on the cross.

John 19:30.

10.

God's power in the resurrection

and its meaning. Rom. 1:4.

IV. Grace Triumphant

11.

The sole glory of the believer.

Gal. 6:14.

12.

The indwelling Christ.

Rom. 6:6; Phil. 1:21.

13.

The inexpressible love.

Eph. 3:14-21.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"It was the cross, that instrument of

shame and torture, which brought hope

and salvation to the world."-The

Acts of

the Apostles,

page 77.

The whole purpose of redeeming grace

throughout all time was, and is, the sal-

vation of mankind. This was the whole

purpose of the Godhead in the incarnation

of our Lord-the greatest outpouring of

divine grace: "He had still one other, a

beloved son; finally he sent him to them."

Mark 12:6, RSV. "But when the fullness

of time was come, God sent forth His

Son . . . to redeem them that were under

the law, that we might receive the adoption

of sons." Gal. 4:4. "For the Son of man

is come to seek and to save that which

was lost." Luke 19:10.

[ 14 ]

The Central Act of the Cross

On what supreme act of redeem-

ing grace did God center His love?

John 3:16; Rom. 5:8.

NorE.—The word translated "believeth"

may be rendered "hath faith."

"The revelation of God's love to man

centers in the cross. Its full significance

tongue cannot utter, pen cannot portray,

the mind of man cannot comprehend.

Looking upon the cross of Calvary, we

can only say, 'God so loved the world,

that He gave His only-begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in Him should not

perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16.

"Christ crucified for our sins, Christ

risen form the dead, Christ ascended on

high, is the science of salvation that we are

to learn and to teach."—The

Ministry of

Healing,

pages 423, 424.

What did Jesus accomplish by

suffering "without the gate"? Heb.

13:12. Compare John 3:16.

NOTE.—"Christ suffered without the gates

of Jerusalem, for Calvary was outside the

city walls. This was to show that He died,

not for the Hebrews alone, but for all

mankind. He proclaims to a fallen world

that He is their Redeemer, and urges them

to accept the salvation He offers."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commen-

tary,

Vol. 7, p. 934.

How deeply was the universe

interested in the cross of Calvary?

1 Peter 1:12.

NOTE.—"God's wonderful purpose of

grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is

the theme into which 'angels desire to

look,' and it will be their study throughout

endless ages. Both the redeemed and the

unfallen beings will find in the cross of

Christ their science and their song. It will

be seen that the glory shining in 'the face

of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love.

In the light from Calvary it will be seen

that the law of self-renouncing love is the

law of life for earth and heaven; that the

love which `seeketh not her own' has its

source in the heart of God; and that in the

meek and lowly One is manifested the

character of Him who dwelleth in the light

which no man can approach unto."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 19, 20.

Grace Poured Out at the Cross

What did the apostle Paul claim

to have received through Jesus Christ?

Rom. 1:5.

NOTE.—"Grace and apostleship to bring

about the obedience of faith among all the

Gentiles."—New

American Standard Bible.

"He [Paul] often thus links the word

`grace'

with his great mission; for example,

in Gal. ii.9, Eph. iii.2, 8, and perhaps Phil.

i.7. Alike the enabling peace and power for

service, and then the service itself, are to

the Christian a free, loving, .beautifying

gift."—Handley C. G. Moule,

The Epistle

to the Romans

(London: Pickering & In-

glis), page 18.

The fact that the ex-Pharisee here in-

cludes "all the nations" as objects of God's

grace is striking evidence of his own re-

demption by grace.

What two blessings come through

the blood of Christ on the cross?

Col. 1:20-22.

NOTE.—By faith we are justified and

enjoy "peace with God 'through our Lord

Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

"Without the cross, man could have no

connection with the Father. On it hangs

our every hope. In view of it the Chris-

tian may advance with the steps of a

conqueror; for from it streams the light of

the Saviour's love."—Ellen G. White Com-

ments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5,

p. 1133.

"Through the merits of Christ he [man]

can be restored to harmony with his

Maker. His heart must be renewed by di-

vine grace; he must have a new life from

above."—The

Great Controversy,

page 467.

What do we receive through

God's grace? Eph. 1:6, 7.

[ 15 ]

NOTE.—"As a result of the revelation of

God's grace in the adoption, the universe

will gain a true conception of the character

and purposes of God and respond with

expressions of praise. . . .

"The abundance and fullness of God's

grace is a prominent theme in this epistle,

and is presented as a prime cause for con-

fidence and hope."—SDA

Bible Commen-

tary,

on Eph. 1:6.

What accompanied the powerful

testimonies of the apostles to the vic-

tory of the cross? Acts 4:33.

Nom.—"The glad tidings of a risen

Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts

of the inhabited world. As the disciples

proclaimed the message of redeeming grace,

hearts yielded to the power of this mes-

sage The church beheld converts flocking to

her from all directions."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

page 48.

Divine Grace Meets Man's

Need at the Cross

How was God's love commended

to sinners? Rom. 5:6-8.

NoTE.—"God rejoices to bestow His

grace upon us, not because we are worthy,

but because we are so utterly unworthy.

Our only claim to His mercy is our great

need.

"The Lord God through Jesus Christ

holds out His hand all the day long in

invitation to the sinful and fallen. He will

receive all. He welcomes all. It is His glory

to pardon the chief of sinners. He will take

the prey from the mighty, He will deliver

the captive, He will pluck the brand from

the burning. He will lower the golden

chain of His mercy to the lowest depths

of human wretchedness, and lift up the

debased soul contaminated with

sin."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page 161.

What climactic words did Jesus

utter upon the cross? John 19:30.

NoTE.—"When Christ spoke these words,

He addressed His Father. Christ was not

alone in making this great sacrifice. It was

the fulfillment of the covenant made be-

tween the Father and the Son before the

foundation of the earth was laid. . . . The

compact was now being fully consummated.

The climax was reached. Christ had the

consciousness that He had fulfilled to the

letter the pledge He had made. In death

He was more than conqueror. The redemp-

tion price has been paid."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

5, p. 1149.

"When Christ cried out, 'It is finished,'

all heaven triumphed. The controversy be-

tween Christ and Satan in regard to the

execution of the plan of salvation was

ended."—Ibid.

"When Christ cried, 'It is finished,' God's

unseen hand rent the strong fabric compos-

ing the veil of the temple from top to

bottom. . . . He looked upon the victim

expiring on the cross, and said, 'It is fin-

ished. The human race shall have another

trial.' The redemption price was paid, and

Satan fell like lightning from heaven."—

Ibid.,

p. 1150.

10.

By His resurrection from the

dead, what was Jesus declared to be?

Rom. 1:4.

NoTE.—"At the death of Jesus the sol-

diers had beheld the earth wrapped in

darkness at midday; but at the resurrection

they saw the brightness of the angels il-

luminate the night, and heard the inhabi-

tants of heaven singing with great joy

and triumph: Thou hast vanquished Satan

and the powers of darkness; thou hast

swallowed up death in victory

!"—The De-

sire of Ages,

page 780.

Grace Triumphant

11.

In what alone did Paul glory

and why? Gal. 6:14.

NoTE.—"The death of Christ on the

cross of Calvary is our only hope in this

world, and it will be our theme in the

world to come. Oh, we do not comprehend

the value of the atonement! If we did, we

would talk more about it."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1132.

[ 16

12. What happens in the sinner's

life when he accepts by faith Christ's

atonement on the cross for his sins?

Rom. 6:6; Phil. 1:21.

NOTE.

—

"Our

old man is crucified with

Him." "For to me to live is Christ."

"This is the most perfect interpretation

in a few words, in all the Scriptures, of

what it means to be a Christian. This is

the whole truth of the gospel."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 903.

The expression "for me to live is Christ"

shows the intensely personal experience

which God's grace brought to Paul. In

Colossians 3:4 he speaks of "Christ, who

our life."

In Colossians 1:27 he speaks

of "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and

in Romans 8:10 he states that "if Christ

be in you, . . . the spirit is life because of

righteousness."

13. Into what inexpressible experi-

ence in divine love is the believer led

through the indwelling Christ? Eph.

3:14-21.

Lesson 5, for May 3, 1969

Paul's Teachings of Redeeming Grace

MEMORY VERSE:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your-

selves: it is the gift of God." Eph. 2.8.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Acts of the Apostles," chapters 24, 25; "SDA Bible Commen-

tary."

STUDY AIM:

To seek to understand the doctrine of grace as set forth in the teach-

ings and writings of :he apostle Paul, and to see how this great apostle

experienced redemptive grace in his own life.

Introduction

"We may see the position that grace

held in the mind of Paul, when we see

that every single letter that Paul ever wrote

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Grace and the Way of Salvation

Grace in Paul's benedictions.

Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23 ; Col. 4:18.

Divine initiative. Eph. 2:8, 9.

Divine sufficiency. 2 Cor. 9:14;

12:9; Eph. 2:7.

II. Grace Versus Human Merit

Opposing factors. Rom. 11:6.

Self-surrender. Gal. 2:20.

6. Justification. Titus 3:5-7;

Rom. 5:9, 18, 19; 1 Cor. 6:11.

III. Grace and God's Will for the

Believer

7. God's grace and God's will.

Gal. 1:15, 16; 2 Cor. 1:1.

8. Grace in operation. Eph. 3:7-9.

9. Glory of Christ's grace.

1 Cor. 15:10, 11.

IV. Grace Fortifies the Believer

10. Abounding grace. Rom. 5:20, 21.

11. Unending encouragement.

2 Thess. 2:16.

12. Divine assurance. 2 Cor. 12:9.

THE LESSON

begins and ends with grace."—William Bar-

clay,

The Mind of St. Paul

(London: Col-

lins, 1958), page 157.

"When the apostle sought to transmit

`the light of the knowledge of the glory of

[17]

God in the face of Jesus Christ,' which had

dawned upon himself outside Damascus,

his good news may be described as a mes-

sage or proclamation announcing that 'All

is of grace, and grace is for all.' "—James

Moffatt,

Grace in the New Testament

(Lon-

don: Hodder and Stoughton, 1931), page

131.

"We owe everything to grace, free grace,

sovereign grace. Grace in the covenant

ordained our adoption. Grace in the Sav-

iour effected our redemption, our regen-

eration, and our adoption to heirship with

Christ. Let this grace be revealed to

others."—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 268.

Grace and the Way of Salvation

What is a frequently recurring

theme at the close of Paul's letters?

Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23; Col. 4:18.

NOTE.—"The grace of our Lord Jesus

Christ," and similar phrases, immediately

connects grace with the divine Son. Other

phrases connect grace with "God the Fa-

ther." Gal. 1:3.

"This phrase [`the grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ'] attaches the idea of grace

to the central doctrine of our faith, round

which the whole content of our belief is

grouped; and it thereby indicates that, if

we would know what grace is, we must

consider the nature of God and the nature

of man, the character of the situation in

which the incarnation of the Son of God

and His atoning death upon the cross be-

came necessary, the significance of His

death and resurrection and the result which

was achieved by them, and the divine

provision by which that act of God con-

tinues to be applied and extended."—

Oscar Hardman,

The Christian Doctrine of

Grace

(New York: The Macmillan Com-

pany, 1947), page 26.

In what words does Paul con-

nect the grace of God with man's

faith as the only way of salvation?

Eph. 2:8, 9.

NOTE.—"God's people must have that

faith which will lay hold of divine power;

`for by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of

God.'

"—Gospel Workers,

page 161.

"Faith is the gift of God, but the power

to exercise it is ours. Faith is the hand by

which the soul takes hold upon the divine

offers of grace and

mercy."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 431.

In what words is saving grace

described? 2 Cor. 9:14; 12:9; Eph.

2:7.

NoTE.—These and other expressions in

Paul's letters give a superlative conception

of God's outgoing love and grace to save

the sinner and establish the saint in holi-

ness.

The word

charis

appears about 150 times

in the New Testament. It is translated

"grace" 129 times in the KJV and of this

number Paul uses it 101 times; hence he is

often called "the apostle of grace."

Grace Versus Human Merit

How did Paul show that the sal-

vation of the remnant of Israel was

by grace and not by works? Rom.

11:6.

NOTE.—"Our own works can never pur-

chase salvation."—The

Desire of Ages,

page

280.

"Without the grace of Christ every soul

would have been bankrupt for eternity;

therefore we can rightfully claim nothing.

But while we can claim nothing, yet when

we are faithful stewards, the Lord rewards

us as if the merit were all our own."—

Tetimonies to Ministers,

page 166.

"We can never be saved by works; but

if our salvation does not issue in works, it

is not salvation. It is not first works, and

then salvation. It is first salvation, and

then works. We do not become saved by

keeping the Law; we can only keep the

Law because we are saved. All is of love,

and a man cannot accept God's grace, and

then go on to break the heart of God who

loved him so much."—William Barclay,

The Mind of St. Paul

(London: Collins,

1958), page 171.

How is the life of the Christian

believer described? Gal. 2:20.

[18]

NOTE.—"Everything good in men and

women is the fruit of the working of the

Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us to reveal

righteousness in our lives. The greatest

work that can be done in our world is to

glorify God by living the character of

Christ. God will make perfect only those

who will die to self. Those who are willing

to do this can say, 'I live ; yet not I, but

Christ liveth in me.' "—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6,

p. 1109.

Man has nothing to contribute to his re-

demption except the sin from which he

needs to be saved. When he confesses his

sins, he is forgiven and justified, and

Christ's righteousness is imputed to him.

The Holy Spirit then enters the life, and

man is thus enabled to perform good works

to God's glory.

What grounds of justification

are mentioned by Paul? Titus 3:5-7;

Rom. 5:9, 18, 19; 1 Cor. 6:11.

Grace and God's Will for

the Believer

In what way did Paul acknowl-

edge God's gracious will for his life?

Gal. 1:15, 16; 2 Cor. 1:1.

NoTE.—Both God's grace and God's will

are here said to have made him an apostle.

"These two sayings equate God's grace

and God's will. In other words, the grace

of God is the will of God in action on the

lives of men."—William Barclay,

The Mind

of St. Paul,

page 167.

"Paul briefly reviewed the leading inci-

dents connected with his own conversion

and early Christian experience. By this

means he sought to show that it was

through a special manifestation of divine

power that he had been led to see and

grasp the great truths of the gospel. It was

through instruction received from God

Himself that Paul was led to warn and

admonish the Galatians in so solemn and

positive a manner."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

page 386.

Into what kind of service did

the gift of God's grace lead Paul?

Eph. 3:7-9.

NOTE.—"He [Paul] claimed no wisdom

of his own, but acknowledged that divine

power alone had enabled him to present

the truth in a manner pleasing to God.

United with Christ, the greatest of all

teachers, Paul had been enabled to com-

municate lessons of divine wisdom, which

met the necessities of all classes, and which

were to apply at all times, in all places,

and under all conditions."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

page 303.

To what did Paul attribute his

accomplishments? 1 Cor. 15:10, 11.

NOTE.—"He had learned the essential

lesson that all human accomplishments are

valueless in the work of God if separated

from an impartation to the soul of that

spiritual life from God that is called

`grace.' Paul knew that all his zeal, piety,

abilities, and success as an apostle were the

result of the undeserved favor God had

manifested toward

him."—SDA Bible Com-

mentary,

on 1 Cor. 15:10.

It should be noted that while in 1 Cor.

15:10 Paul gives the glory of his achieve-

ments to the grace of God, in Gal. 2:20 he

attributes the fruitfulness of his life to

Christ. In Paul's mind Christ was the

greatest manifestation of the grace of God.

Grace Fortifies the Believer

10.

Where sin increased, what did

grace do? Rom. 5:20, 21.

NOTE.—"Through the love of God the

treasures of the grace of Christ have been

laid open before the church and the world.

`God so loved the world, that He gave

His only-begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in Him should not perish, but

have everlasting life.' What marvelous, un-

fathomable love, which led Christ to die

for us while we were yet sinners ! And

what a loss the soul suffers who, under-

standing the strong claims of the law, fails

to acknowledge that where sin abounds, the

grace of Christ does much more abound!"

—Gospel Workers,

page 157.

11.

What blessings come to the be-

liever through divine grace? 2 Thess.

2:16.

[ 19 ]

NOTE.—"Who has loved us and given us

unending encouragement and unfailing hope

by His grace." 2 Thess. 2:16, Phillips.

"The Thessalonian believers had hoped

for immediate deliverance; now they were

admonished to take up bravely and in 'the

fear of God the work before them. The

apostle charged them not to neglect their

duties or resign themselves to idle waiting.

After their glowing anticipations of im-

mediate deliverance the round of daily life

and the opposition that they must meet

would appear doubly forbidding. He there-

fore exhorted them to steadfastness in the

faith :

" 'Stand fast, and hold the traditions

which ye have been taught, whether by

word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus

Christ Himself, and God, even our Father,

which hath loved us, and hath given us

everlasting consolation and good hope

through grace, comfort your hearts, and

stablish you in every good word and

work.'

"—The Acts of the Apostles,

pages

266, 267.

12. What memorable words of Paul,

based on personal experience, assure

the believer that God's grace makes

him equal to every occasion? 2 Cor.

12:9.

NOTE.—"The Lord has shown me that

His grace is sufficient for all our trials;

and although they are greater than ever

before, yet if we trust wholly in God,

we can overcome every temptation and

through His grace come off victorious."

—Early Writings,

page 46.

Lesson 6, for May 10, 1969

Justification by Faith Through Grace

MEMORY VERSE:

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that

is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 35; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To seek to understand the relation between grace and justification

by faith.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Man's Hopeless Condition in Sin

A common heritage. Rom. 5:12.

A complete impotence.

Rom. 3:20-26; 7:19, 20.

A free antidote. Rom. 5:20.

A way out. 1 Cor. 15:34.

II. Man's Hope in Christ's

Righteousness

5. Exchanging man's righteousness

for Christ's. Phil. 3:8-10.

Saving righteousness for all men

in all times. Heb. 11:4;

Gen. 7:1; Rom. 4:3.

Surrendering to Christ. 1 John 1:9.

Advancing with Christ. Rom.

4:3-8.

III. Man's Assurance of Victorious Life

A new experience.

Gal. 2:20, 21.

10.

A free gift. John 1:12.

11.

A new life and a blessed hope.

Titus 3:5-7.

12.

A consequence of faith and grace.

James 2:20-24.

[ 20 ]

THE LESSON

3. By what means does God make

sin in the life evident to man? Rom.

5:20.

Introduction

"With great clearness and power the

apostle [Paul writing to the Romans]

presented the doctrine of justification by

faith in Christ. . . . Through all the ages

the great truth of justification by faith

has stood as a mighty beacon to guide

repentant sinners into the way of life."—

The Acts of the Apostles,

page 373.

The message of justification by faith "'is

the third angel's message in verity.'

"—

Evangelism,

page 190.

"Many had lost sight of Jesus. They

needed to have their eyes directed to His

divine person, His merits, and His change-

less love for the human family. All power

is given into His hands, that He may

dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting

the priceless gift of His own righteousness

to the helpless human agent. This is the

message that God commanded to be given

to the world. It is the third angel's mes-

sage, which is to be proclaimed with a

loud voice, and attended with the outpour-

ing of His Spirit in a large measure."—

Testimonies to Ministers,

page 92.

Man's Hopeless Condition in Sin

What one thing is common to

all men through our father Adam?

Rom. 5:12. Compare verse 19.

NoTE.—Sin is lawlessness, which en-

thrones self and ignores God. Its results

are ruinous, for it destroys the real man.

How completely does sin render

a man impotent to carry out any good

intentions? Rom. 3:20-26; 7:19, 20.

Compare Eph. 4:22-24.

NoTE.—"It is the effect of sin to deaden

the moral perceptions, so that the wrong-

doer does not realize the enormity of

transgression, and without the convicting

power of the Holy Spirit he remains in

partial blindness to his

sin."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 361.

NOTE.—A knowledge of the moral law

was in man's heart at creation, but at

Sinai the law became a written code for

human conduct, and sin became more

clearly revealed. The more sin became ap-

parent to the sinner, the more God's grace

abounded toward him.

"When the law is presented as it should

be, it reveals the love of

God."—Gospel

Workers,

page 157.

What should men do while for-

saking sin? 1 Cor. 15:34.

NOTE.—"Sinful man can find hope and

righteousness only in

God."—Testimonies

to Ministers,

page 367.

Man's Hope in Christ's

Righteousness

How did Paul find the righteous-

ness of Christ? Phil. 3:8-10.

NoTE.—"The righteousness that before

he [Paul] had thought worth so much was

now worthless in his sight. His own righ-

teousness was unrighteousness. The deep

longing of his soul was, 'That I may

know Him, and the power of His resur-

rection, and the fellowship of His suffer-

ings, being made conformable unto His

death.'

"He would know for himself the power

of the Saviour's grace. He trusted in His

power to save even him, who had perse-

cuted the church of Christ. In his estima-

tion no treasure could equal the value of

the gift of the knowledge of Christ."—El-

len G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Com-

mentary,

Vol. 7, page 905.

"The proud heart strives to earn sal-

vation; but both our title to heaven and

our fitness for it are found in the righ-

teousness of Christ."—The

Desire of Ages,

page

300.

What shows that saving righ-

teousness was available to men in Old

Testament times? Heb. 11:4; Gen. 7:1;

Rom. 4:3.

Nom—Others in both Old and New

Testaments could be listed, such as Lot

(2 Peter 2:7) ; Zacharias and Elisabeth

(Luke 1:5, 6). The Gentiles who accepted

Paul's preaching attained to righteousness

through faith. Rom. 9:30; 6:17-22.

"It is through faith in the blood of

Christ that all the sins of the believer are

canceled and the righteousness of God is

put in their place to the believer's account.

0, what a marvelous transaction! What a

manifestation of divine love and grace!

Here is a man born in sin. As Paul says,

he is 'filled with all unrighteousness.' His

inheritance of evil is the worst imaginable.

His environment is at the lowest depths

known to the wicked. In some way the

love of God shining from the cross of

Calvary reaches that man's heart. He

yields, repents, confesses, and by faith

claims Christ as his Saviour. The instant

that is done, he is accepted as a child of

God. His sins are all forgiven, his guilt

is canceled, he is accounted righteous, and

stands approved, justified, before the di-

vine law. And this amazing, miraculous

change may take place in one short hour.

This is righteousness by faith."—A.

Daniells,

Christ Our Righteousness,

1926

edition, pages 22, 23.

What does God require the sin-

ner to do, and what becomes of his

sins? 1 John 1:9. Compare Isa. 55:7.

NOTE.—Confession, forgiveness, cleans-

ing bring the erstwhile guilty sinner a new

status before God. He is now justified, and

enters upon a daily experience of sur-

render and sanctification.

"We must learn in the school of Christ.

Nothing but His righteousness can entitle

us to one of the blessings of the covenant

of grace. . . . We must not think that our

own grace and merits will save us; the

grace of Christ is our only hope of sal-

vation."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 351.

What do the experiences of

Abraham and David teach us regard-

ing God's grace and righteousness in

the lives of the faithful? Rom. 4:3-8.

NOTE.-"By faith he [the sinned can

bring to God the merits of Christ, and

the Lord places the obedience of His Son

to the sinner's account. Christ's righteous-

ness is accepted in place of man's failure,

and God receives, pardons, justifies, the

repentant, believing soul, treats him as

though he were righteous, and loves him

as He loves His Son. This is how faith is

accounted righteousness; and the pardoned

soul goes on from grace to grace, from

light to a greater

light."—Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 1, p. 367.

"It is quite clear that there is no word

so near the center of Paul's belief as the

word faith. We have only to read his

letters to see that for Paul the word faith

sums up the very essence of Christian-

ity....

"It is of primary importance to note

that for Paul faith is always faith in a

person. Faith is not the intellectual ac-

ceptance of a body of doctrine ; faith is

faith in a person."—William Barclay,

The

Mind of St. Paul

(London: Collins, 1958),

page 133.

Man's Assurance of Victorious Life

How does Paul show that God's

grace provided righteousness for be-

lieving men, not as a matter of law,

but as a living experience with Christ?

Gal.

2:20, 21.

NoTE.—The doctrine of the indwelling

Christ becomes a living experience to the

believer, and it is perceptible to others

who see the results in a sanctified life.

Thus the works of Christ are seen in the

life of the man of faith. James 2:20-24.

"While we cannot do anything to change

our hearts or to bring ourselves into har-

mony with God; while we must not trust

at all to ourselves or our good works, our

lives will reveal whether the grace of God

is dwelling within us. A change will be

seen in the character, the habits, the pur-

suits."—Steps

to Christ,

page 57.

10.

To whom did Jesus extend the

privilege of becoming sons of God?

John 1:12.

[ 221

11.

When he is justified by grace

through faith, to what does the be-

liever become heir? Titus 3:5-7. Com-

pare Titus 2:11-13.

12.

What is said concerning the

importance of Christian works in the

victorious lives of the faithful? James

2:20-24.

NOTE.

-"In

order to meet the require-

ments of the law, our faith must grasp

the righteousness of Christ, accepting it

as our righteousness. Through union with

Christ, through acceptance of His righ-

teousness by faith, we may be qualified

to work the works of God, to be colabor-

ers with Christ. . . . Faith works by love

and purifies the soul. Through faith the

Holy Spirit works in the heart to create

holiness therein; but this cannot be done

unless the human agent will work with

Christ. We can be fitted for heaven only

through the work of the Holy Spirit upon

the heart; for we must have Christ's righ-

teousness as our credentials if we would

find access to the Father. In order that

we may have the righteousness of Christ,

we need daily to be transformed by the

influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of

the divine nature. It is the work of the

Holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify

the heart, to ennoble the whole man."-

Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 374.

Lesson 7, for May 17, 1969

Grace and the Sanctified Life

MEMORY VERSE:

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God

your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," pages 469-478 (last half of chapter 27);

"SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To gain help in living a life of holiness through faith and by God's

grace.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. God's Will for the Believer

To be sanctified. 1 Thess. 4:3.

To live in holiness preparing to

see God. Heb. 12:14.

To be blameless when Jesus comes.

1 Thess. 5:23.

II. Christ's Purpose for His Church

Cleansed and sanctified.

Eph. 5:25, 26.

Enlightened, forgiven, sanctified

by faith. Acts 26:18.

Holy, spotless, glorious.

Eph. 5:27.

III. A Purified People

7. Saved through sanctification of

the Spirit. 2 Thess. 2:13.

8. Sanctified vessels of honor.

2 Tim. 2:21.

9. Washed, sanctified, justified.

1 Cor. 6:11.

IV. A People Renewed in the

Image of Christ

10. Changed by beholding.

2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:1, 2.

11. Putting on the new man.

Eph. 4:24.

12. Sanctified with Him.

John 17:15-17.

THE LESSON

2. How vital to each believer is

the experience of sanctification? Heb.

12:14.

Introduction

Sanctification is God's purpose in call-

ing men by the gospel. It is an experience

which must be learned from God through

His Word. John 17:17. It cannot be pur-

chased or obtained vicariously. Each be-

liever should diligently seek the goal of

complete sanctification. See Heb. 12:14.

"God has chosen men from eternity to

be holy. 'This is the will of God, even

your sanctification.' God's law tolerates

no sin, but demands perfect obedience.

The echo of God's voice comes to us,

ever saying, Holier, holier still. And ever

our answer is to be, Yes, Lord, holier still.

Holiness is within the reach of all who

reach for it by faith, not because of their

good works, but because of Christ's mer-

its. Divine power is provided for every

soul struggling for the victory over sin

and Satan.

"Justification means the saving of a

soul from perdition, that he may obtain

sanctification, and through sanctification,

the life of heaven. Justification means that

the conscience, purged from dead works,

is placed where it can receive the blessings

of sanctification."—Ellen G. White Com-

ments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7,

p. 908.

God's Will for the Believer

1. How is God's will for the be-

liever expressed by Paul? 1 Thess. 4:3.

NOTE.—"The psalmist says 'Thy law is

the truth.' By the Word and the Spirit of

God are opened to men the great princi-

ples of righteousness embodied in His law.

And since the law of God is 'holy, and

just, and good,' a transcript of the divine

perfection, it follows that a character

formed by obedience to that law will be

holy. Christ is a perfect example of such

a character. He says: 'I have kept My Fa-

ther's commandments.' I do always those

things that please Him.' John 15:10; 8:29.

The followers of Christ are to become like

Him—by the grace of God to form char-

acters in harmony with the principles of

His holy law. This is Bible sanctification."

—The Great Controversy,

page 469.

Nom—The word "holiness" here is from

the Greek

hagiasmos,

which in 1

Thess.

4:3 and elsewhere is translated "sancti-

fication."

"Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul

is surrendered to God. The will, and even

the thoughts, are brought into subjection

to the will of Christ. The love of Jesus

fills the soul, and is constantly going out

in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad

the hearts of others."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

6, p. 1076.

3. In what words does Paul express

the necessity for complete sanctifica-

tion, and for how long? 1 Thess. 5:23.

NoTE.—"The truth must sanctify the

whole man—his mind, his thoughts, his

heart, his strength. His vital powers will

not be consumed upon his own lustful

practices. These must be overcome, or they

will overcome him."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

7, p. 909.

Christ's Purpose for His Church

4. To what extent did Christ love

His church and for what purpose?

Eph. 5:25, 26.

NOTE.—"The church is God's appointed

agency for the salvation of men. It was

organized for service, and its mission is

to carry the gospel to the world. From the

beginning it has been God's plan that

through His church shall be reflected to

the world His fullness and His sufficiency.

The members of the church, those whom

He has called out of darkness into His

marvelous light, are to show forth His

glory. The church is the repository of the

riches of the grace of Christ; and through

the church will eventually be made mani-

fest, even to 'the principalities and powers

[

24]

in heavenly places,' the final and full dis-

play of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10."

—The Acts of the Apostles,

page 9.

By what are men sanctified? Acts

26:18. Compare John 17:17; Rom.

10:17.

Narz.—"Paul often mentions sanctifica-

tion, the process of character transforma-

tion through which the saints must go.

To instantaneous freedom from the guilt

of sin, through justification, . . . it adds a

repeated and continuous dedication of the

mind and the life to the goal of perfection

in Christ. It is the 'work . . . of a lifetime'

(see AA 560-562). . . . As all Christians

must, Paul was experiencing a continuing

dedication, proceeding from victory to vic-

tory in Christ (Phil. 3:12-14)."—SDA

Bi-

ble Commentary,

on Acts 26:18.

What kind of church does our

Lord desire to be with Him in glory?

Eph. 5:27.

NoTE.—"The Lord could carry forward

His work without our cooperation. He is

not dependent on us for our money, our

time, or our labor. But the church is very

precious in His sight. It is the case which

contains His jewels, the fold which en-

closes His flock, and He longs to see it

without spot or blemish or any such thing.

He yearns after it with unspeakable love."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 261.

A Purified P'ople

Through what two ways has God

purposed to bring about man's sal-

vation? 2 Thess. 2:13.

NoTE.—Paul and Peter exhort believers

to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 3:18.

"The work of transformation from un-

holiness to holiness is a continuous one.

Day by day God labors for man's sancti-

fication, and man is to cooperate with

Him, putting forth persevering efforts in

the cultivation of right habits. He is to

add grace to grace; and as he thus works

on the plan of addition, God works for

him on the plan of multiplication. Our

Saviour is always ready to hear and an-

swer the prayer of the contrite heart, and

grace and peace are multiplied to His

faithful ones."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 532.

What kind of vessels should

Christians be in order to be fit for

the Lord's service? 2 Tim. 2:21.

NorE.—"The work of purification is an

individual work. No one can do this work

for another. 'If a man therefore purge

himself

from these, he shall be a vessel

unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the

Master's use.' The Spirit of God will work

through sanctified human agencies, lead-

ing them to work aright. Ability and grace

will be provided. Men will be filled with

an earnest desire to preach the truths of

the gospel, firmly, decidedly, and in a clear

manner."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

p. 918.

By what process had the Corin-

thian believers become saints? 1 Cor.

6:11. Compare 1 Cor. 1:2.

NOTE.—"Christ gave Himself for us, to

redeem us from all iniquity, that He

might purify unto Himself a peculiar peo-

ple, zealous of good works. His church

must be kept free from all false doctrine."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1083.

A People Renewed in the

Image of Christ

10.

How

r•

men changed into the

image of Christ? 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom.

12:1, 2.

NoTE.—"The sanctification of the soul

is accomplished through steadfastly be-

holding Him [Christ] by faith as the only-

begotten Son of God, full of grace and

truth. The power of truth is to transform

heart and character. . . . A new nature is

[25]

imparted. Man is renewed after the image

of Christ in righteousness and true holi-

ness. . . . The character is to be full of

grace and truth."-Ellen G. White Com-

ments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6,

p. 1117.

11. How does Paul describe the new

nature? Eph. 4:24. Compare verses

25-32.

NorE.-"No

man receives holiness as a

birthright, or as a gift from any other

human being. Holiness is the gift of God

through Christ. Those who receive the

Saviour become sons of God. . . .

"Accepting Christ as a personal Saviour,

and following His example of self-denial

-this is the secret of holiness."-Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commen-

tary,

Vol. 6, p. 1117.

12. What special petition did Christ

offer for His disciples? What did He

say of citizenship in this world? John

17:15-17.

NorE.-"The sanctification of the soul

by the working of the Holy Spirit is the

implanting of Christ's nature in humanity.

Gospel religion is Christ in the life-a

living, active principle. It is the grace of

Christ revealed in character and wrought

out in good

works."-Christ's Object Les-

sons,

page 384.

Lesson 8, for May 24, 1969

Redeeming Grace and the Law

MEMORY VERSE:

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto

Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Gal. 3:24.

STUDY HELPS:

"Christ's Object Lessons," chapter, "The Reward of Grace"; "SDA

Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To gain a better understanding of the relation between grace and

law and the place each has in the gospel of our salvation.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Function of Law

The purpose of God through law.

Rom. 3:20.

The work of Christ for all men's

sins. John 1:29.

The power of God for believers.

Rom. 1:16; Titus 2:11-14.

II. The Operation of Sin, Law,

and Grace

Christ came to obey His Father's

revealed will. Ps. 40:7, 8; Isa.

42:21.

Christ related obedience to love

in believers. Matt. 5:17, 18;

John 15:10.

Grace and glory displayed in con-

quest of sin. Rom. 5:20, 21.

III. The Obedient Life and

Salvation by Grace

Law does not give righteousness.

Gal. 2:21.

The grace of God versus human

works. Gal. 5:4; Rom. 4:4; 11:6.

Faith does not undermine law.

Rom. 3:31.

IV. The Controlled Life of Service

10.

The liberty and obedience of the

believer saved by grace.

Gal. 5:13, 14; 6:2.

11.

The victorious life not a passive

experience. Gal. 5:16, 25.

12.

The essential personal experience

of saving grace. Matt. 25:6-9 ;

John 3:3, 6.

[26

THE LESSON

the knowledge of sin'; 'and not until man

is convicted of sin, will he truly feel his

need of the atoning blood of Christ.' . . .

"While preaching the gospel of the grace

of God, Wesley, like his Master, sought to

`magnify the law, and make it honorable.' "

—The Great Controversy,

page 264.

2. Whereas law, both ceremonial

and moral, revealed sin without re-

moving it, what does Christ do with

the sins of the world? John 1:29.

Compare Matt. 1:21.

Introduction

One of the most important ideas in the

Old Testament is that of law, but it ap-

pears in various forms in many terms, not

all meaning exactly the same thing. Psalm

119 provides examples of these differences,

for there we read of commandments, ordi-

nances, law, word, statutes, judgments, pre-

cepts, ways, testimonies. Obviously the Ten

Commandments are not specifically in-

tended by all these words, nor are they

always intended by the word "law" in the

English New Testament.

Torah

is the most characteristic of the

Old Testament words conveying the idea

of law, and its usual meaning is to in-

struct, to teach, as when a superior au-

thority passes on a rule of conduct or

service.

Jesus places grace, faith, law, obedience

in a context which requires repentance

from sin ; and He presented salvation by

faith through grace, which results in obe-

dience to God's requirements, rather than

obedience to law as the title to salvation.

Speaking of the commandments, Ellen

G. White says:

"Christ does not lessen the claims of the

law. In unmistakable language He pre-

sents obedience to it as the condition of

eternal life—the same condition that was

required of Adam before his fall. The Lord

expects no less of the soul now than He

expected of man in Paradise, perfect obe-

dience, unblemished righteousness. The re-

quirement under the covenant of grace is

just as broad as the requirement made in

Eden—harmony with God's law, which is

holy, just, and

good."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

page 391.

The Function of Law

1. What was the great purpose of

the revealed commands of God?

Rom. 3:20.

NOTE.—"To those who urged that 'the

preaching of the gospel answers all the

ends of the law,' Wesley replied: 'This we

utterly deny. It does not answer the very

first end of the law, namely, the convinc-

ing men of sin, the awakening those who

are still asleep on the brink of hell.' The

apostle Paul declares that 'by the law is

NOTE.—"Through faith we receive the

grace of God; but faith is not our Sav-

iour. It earns nothing. It is the hand by

which we lay hold upon Christ, and ap-

propriate His merits, the remedy for sin.

And we cannot even repent without the

aid of the Spirit of God. The Scripture

says of Christ, 'Him hath God exalted with

His right hand to be a Prince and a Sav-

iour, for to give repentance to Israel, and

forgiveness of sins.' Acts 5:31. Repentence

comes from Christ as truly as does par-

don."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 175.

What does the gospel become to

those who believe? Rom. 1:16; Titus

2:11-14.

NOTE.—"The gospel is the power of God

and the wisdom of

God."—Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 1, p. 245.

The Operation of Sin, Law,

and Grace

How did prophecy foretell

Christ's attitude to the righteous prin-

ciples embodied in God's law? Ps. 40:

7, 8; Isa. 42:21.

NoTE.—"[Ps. 40:8 quoted.] As He went

about doing good, and healing all who

were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to

men the character of God's law and the

nature of His service. His life testifies that

[ 27 ]

it is possible for us also to obey the law

of God."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 24.

"Obedience to the revealed will of God

always promotes righteousness, happiness,

and peace among men. In His Sermon on

the Mount, Christ magnified the law by

applying its principles to the motives of

the heart as well as to the outward acts."

—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Isa. 42:21.

How explicitly did our Lord

teach that He had not come to destroy

the law? What connection did He

make between obedience and love in

His followers? Matt. 5:17, 18; John

15:10.

NorE.—"The law" in Matt. 5:17 comes

from the Greek word

nomos,

the New

Testament equivalent of the Hebrew

torah,

which comprehends all divine teachings.

The expression "the law and the proph-

ets" was used to describe the whole of the

Old Testament.

"It was because of His great reverence

for the law and the prophets that He

sought to break through the wall of tra-

ditional requirements which hemmed in

the Jews. While He set aside their false

interpretations of the law, He carefully

guarded His disciples against yielding up

the vital truths committed to the He-

brews.. ..

"God has given us His holy precepts,

because He loves mankind. To shield us

from the results of transgression, He re-

veals the principles of righteousness. The

law is an expression of the thought of God ;

when received in Christ, it becomes our

thought. It lifts us above the power of

natural desires and tendencies, above temp-

tations that lead to sin. God desires us to

be happy, and He gave us the precepts of

the law that in obeying them we might

have

joy."—The Desire of Ages,

pages 307,

308.

This comment and the contextual setting

of Matthew 5:17 indicate that Christ's pri-

mary concern was with the moral law.

In what words are the entrance

of law, the prevalence of sin, and the

abundance of grace set before us?

With what is the reign of grace con-

nected? Rom. 5:20, 21.

NOTE.—"Law came in [intruded, NEB],

to increase the trespass; but where sin in-

creased, grace abounded all 'the more."

RSV.

"God permitted sin and allowed it to

abound, and then overruled it to bring

about the most wonderful display of His

glory and grace, so that the benefits of

redemption infinitely transcend the evils of

the rebellion."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Rom. 5:20.

"The work of redemption will be com-

plete. In the place where sin abounded,

God's grace much more abounds."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 26.

The Obedient Life and

Salvation by Grace

In what strong language did

Paul show that justification does not

come through the law? Gal. 2:21.

NOTE.—"Paul argues that the rewards of

one who works are not a favor or a gift:

they belong to him, as the result of his

own efforts (see Rom. 4:4, 5). Now if, by

the works of the law, one may obtain all

the benefits that come through the gospel,

the plan for man's redemption through

Jesus Christ has been made unnecessary."

—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Gal.

2:21.

The law reveals sin. The Holy Spirit

brings conviction. The surrendered soul

confesses his sin, which is followed by

God's forgiveness and justification through

faith. The sinner then is clothed in Christ's

robe of righteousness.

"Nothing but His [Christ's] righteous-

ness can entitle us to one of the blessings

of the covenant of grace. . . . We must not

think that our own grace and merits will

save us; the grace of Christ is our only

hope of salvation."—Selected

Messages,

Bk.

1, p. 351.

"In order to do the will of

God, we must search His

Word, that we may know

His doctrine, and put to the

task all our entrusted

abil-

ity."—Counsels on Sabbath

School Work,

page 73.

[ 28 ]

What is the condition, according

to Paul, of the man who thinks he

can obtain salvation by works? Gal.

5:4; Rom. 4:4; 11:6.

How emphatically did Paul deny

that faith undermines the law? Rom.

3:31.

NOTE.—"Does this mean that we are

using faith to undermine law? By no

means: we are placing law itself on a

firmer footing." NEB.

The Controlled Life of Service

10.

How did Paul point out that

the surrendered life under grace

means liberty and service, in fulfill-

ment of the law of Christ? Gal. 5:13,

14; 6:2.

NOTE.—"God's will is expressed for you

necessarily in terms of law. The law of

God is the expression of God's will; that

will which is good and acceptable and

perfect because it is the will of infinite

Love. That is God's will for you, and it

comes to you in terms of law, and that

law of God runs throughout the whole

of life; and you never come to a time

when you get out of the range of law. We

sing sometimes 'Free from the law, 0,

happy condition!' That is true inasmuch

as there is no condemnation of the law,

but it is not true, and never can be true,

so far as the requirements of the law are

concerned. 'For what the law could not

do in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending His own Son in the likeness

of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin

in the flesh; that the righteousness of the

law might be fulfilled in us, who walk

not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'

That is God's objective."—J. R. Howden,

quoted by Ernest F. Kevan,

The Law of

God in Christian Experience

(London:

Pickering & Inglis, 1955), page 69.

11.

How does Paul show that the

victorious life through God's keeping

grace is not a passive experience?

Gal. 5:16, 25.

NoTE.—Walking

in the Spirit is a life

of dedicated action for God. The ninefold

"fruit of the Spirit" is mentioned in Ga-

latians

5:22,

23, and Paul says, "Against

such there is no law"; that is, the law does

not say anything against this kind of

Christian service which God's grace in-

spires. It is service controlled for God's

glory.

"Men need to learn that the blessings of

obedience, in their fullness, can be theirs

only as they receive the grace of Christ.

It is His grace that gives man power to

obey the laws of God. It is this that en-

ables him to break the bondage of evil

habit. This is the only power that can

make him and keep him steadfast in the

right

path."—The Ministry of Healing,

page 115.

12.

Can saving grace in one per-

son avail for another? Matt. 25:6-9;

John 3:3, 6.

NoTE.—This parable shows 'that ulti-

mately the grace of God suffices to save

the believer who accepts it by faith, and

it will not save another. Even in present

daily life, while we may be the means of

communicating grace to others, it remains

true that redeeming grace must be in-

dividually accepted.

"The oil of grace cannot be lent by one

to another, neither [when the Lord comes]

have the foolish virgins 'time to buy oil

for themselves. . . .

"To every man is given an individual

responsibility. . . .

"Who are faithful stewards of the grace

of Christ

?"—Testimonies to Ministers,

pages 235, 236.

"Only by accepting the virtue and grace

of Christ can we keep the law. Belief in

the propitiation for sin enables fallen man

to love God with his whole heart and his

neighbor as himself."—Christ's

Object Les-

sons,

page 378.

( 29

Lesson 9, for May 31, 1969

God's Grace and Christian Perfection

MEMORY VERSE:

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your

calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so

an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting

kingdom of our

lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," chapter 73; "The Acts of the Apostles," pages

560, 561; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To gain a stronger faith in God's enabling grace as the means by

which the believer may be counted perfect in Christ Jesus.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Developing Perfection in Man

The development of character.

Rom. 5:1-6.

The maturing life. 1 Cor. 2:5, 6.

The complete devotion. Gen. 6:9;

Job 1:1, 8; Gen. 17:1.

II. Progressive Sanctification in Christ

The central Figure. Col. 1:28.

The excellency of Christ.

Phil. 3:8, 9.

6. The possession and the pursuit.

Phil. 3:12-15.

III. Enabling and Perfecting Grace

7. In differing spheres. Matt. 5:48.

8. Pardoning grace. 1 John 2:1, 2.

9. Purposeful grace.

Eph. 4:7, 12, 13.

IV. Purified Temples of the Holy Ghost

10. Human temples. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17.

11. Personal relations. Ezek. 14:20.

12. Assured election. 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

THE LESSON

Developing Perfection in Man

what ways do justifying faith,

redeeming grace, and the peace of

God relate to character development?

Rom. 5:1-6.

Introduction

"God designs that every one of us shall

be perfect in Him. . . . He wants us to

be set free from sin."—My

Life Today,

page 15.

"None need fail of attaining, in his

sphere, to perfection of Christian char-

acter. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision

has been made for the believer to receive

all things that pertain to life and godliness.

God calls upon us to reach the standard

of perfection and places before us the

example of Christ's character. In His hu-

manity, perfected by a life of constant

resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that

through cooperation with Divinity, human

beings may in this life attain to perfection

of character."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 531.

NoTE.—Justification is the gateway to

peace

with

God, which becomes a develop-

ing and abiding experience in the peace

God. In verse 3, by the use of the word

"worketh," the apostle reveals a continu-

ing experience which develops the char-

acteristics listed in verses 3-6. The Phillips

translation reads, "Patient endurance ; this

in turn will develop a mature character."

In counseling certain persons who were

not growing in grace as they should have

[301

grown, Ellen G. White commented: "Oh,

how much need, then, of communion with

God! What need of divine grace to direct

every step and show us how to perfect

Christian characters

!"—Testimonies,

Vol. 3,

p. 542.

What word is applied to those

to whom the apostles were preaching

the wisdom and power of God? 1 Cor.

2:5, 6.

NoTE.—Obviously the word "perfect"

here does not mean arrival at a final point

beyond which there is nothing more perfect.

"Them that are perfect" is rendered "the

mature" (RSV) ; "those who are spiritu-

ally mature" (Phillips) ; "those who are

ripe for it" (NEB).

"Perfect.

Gr.

teleioi,

'full grown,' ma-

ture.' . . . Paul is here describing mature

Christians. See Eph. 4:13, 14, where he

contrasts a 'perfect'

(teleios)

man with

`children.' Compare Phil. 3:15, where Paul

speaks of himself and others as 'perfect'

(teleioi).

In Heb. 5:14

teleioi

is rendered

`of full age.' The Christian should grow in

knowledge of the truth and should not

require continual feeding with spiritual

`milk' (Heb. 5:12,

13)."—SDA Bible Com-

mentary,

on 1 Cor. 2:6.

Name some Old Testament char-

acters to whom the word "perfect" is

applied. Does this mean that their

whole life was absolutely sinlessly

perfect? Gen. 6:9 (compare 9:21);

Job 1:1, 8 (compare 40:2-5; 42:2-6);

Gen. 17:1 (compare 20:2-5).

NoTE.—In these cases Noah and Job

are called "perfect," and God told Abra-

ham to be "perfect," which is a common

rendering of the Hebrew words

tam,

tamim.

Yet weakness is seen in their lives.

Their hearts were right toward God, and

as they confessed their faults, they be-

came justified, sanctified, and were thus

perfect in His sight.

"In the OT,

tam

signifies completeness,

integrity, and sincerity, but always in a

relative sense when used of man. A per-

son with a 'perfect heart' was a man whose

life was completely devoted to the Lord

(1 Ki 8:61; 1 Chr 12:38; Is 38:3; KJV)."

—SDA Bible Dictionary,

page 840.

Progressive Sanctification in Christ

In whom is our perfection cen-

tered? Col. 1:28.

NOTE.—"Paul describes the work of

God's ambassadors as that by which every

man shall be presented perfect in Christ

Jesus."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 500.

For what did Paul suffer the loss

of all things? Phil. 3:8, 9.

NOTE.—"Mine own righteousness, which

is of the law," is here contrasted with "the

righteousness which is of God by faith."

"True observance of the law can result

only from the transformation of the mind

by divine grace."—SDA

Bible Commen-

tary,

on Phil. 3:9.

How did Paul express the idea

that he possessed perfection and yet

was still seeking it? Phil. 3:12-15.

NOTE.—"I have not yet reached per-

fection." Phil. 3:12, NEB. "Let those of us

who are mature." Phil. 3:15, RSV.

•

"Paul says, I have not attained, but I

press forward. It is constant advancement

and improvement and reformation that is

to be made with individuals, to perfect a

symmetrical, well-balanced character."—El-

len G. White,

Life Sketches,

page 303.

Enabling and Perfecting Grace

7. What standard of perfection is

set before the believer? Matt. 5:48.

NoTE.—"Our Saviour understood all

about human nature, and He says to every

human being, [Matt. 5:48 quoted here].

As God is perfect in His sphere, so man is

to be perfect in his

sphere."—Medical Min-

istry,

pages 112, 113.

[

31]

"This command [Matt. 5:48] is a prom-

ise. The plan of redemption contemplates

our complete recovery from the power of

Satan. Christ always separates the con-

trite soul from sin. He came to destroy

the works of the devil, and He has made

provision that the Holy Spirit shall be

imparted to every repentant soul, to keep

him from sinning."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 311.

"Moral and spiritual perfection, through

the grace and power of Christ, is promised

all."—The Acts of the Apostles,

page

478.

In what words are we assured

that sinful but repentant men are sure

of divine grace from God? 1 John

2:1, 2.

NOTE.—"Jesus continues: As you confess

Me before men, so I will confess you be-

fore God and the holy angels. You are

to be My witnesses upon earth, channels

through which My grace can flow for

the healing of the world. So I will be

your representative in heaven. The Father

beholds not your faulty character, but He

sees you as clothed in My perfection."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 357.

For what purpose does every be-

liever receive a measure of enabling

grace as a gift from Christ? Eph. 4:

7, 12, 13.

NOTE.—"His gifts were made that Chris-

tians might be properly equipped for their

service, that the whole body might be

built up until the time comes when, in

the unity of common faith and common

knowledge of the Son of God, we arrive

at real maturity—that measure of develop-

ment which is meant by 'the fullness of

Christ.'" Eph. 4:12, 13, Phillips.

"Under the Holy Spirit's working even

the weakest, by exercising faith in God,

learned to improve their entrusted powers

and to become sanctified, refined, and en-

nobled. . . . They received of the fullness

of the Godhead and were fashioned in the

likeness of the divine."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

pages 49, 50.

Purified Temples of the

Holy Ghost

10.

What illustration is used by

Paul to show that the Spirit of God

dwells in the believers? 1 Cor. 3:

16, 17.

NOTE.—"Only Christ can cleanse the

soul temple. But He will not force an en-

trance. . . . 'He will subdue our iniquities;

and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the

depths of the sea.' . . . Micah 7:19. His

presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul,

so that it may be a holy temple unto the

Lord, and 'an habitation of God through

the Spirit.' Eph. 2:21,

22."—The Desire of

Ages,

pages 161, 162.

"God can use every person just in pro-

portion as He can put His Spirit into the

soul-temple."—Testimonies,

Vol. 7, p. 144.

Compare Vol. 5, p. 92, where Christians

are urged to empty the soul-temple of all

rubbish—all envyings, all suspicions, all

faultfindings.

11.

How does an Old Testament

prophet impress upon us that salva-

tion is an individual matter? Ezek.

14:20.

NoTE.—"Now, while our great High

Priest is making the atonement for us,

we should seek to become perfect in

Christ....

"It is in this life that we are to separate

sin from us, through faith in the atoning

blood of Christ."—The

Great Controversy,

page 623.

"When a man is earnestly engaged day

by day in overcoming the defects in his

character, he is cherishing Christ in his

soul-temple; the light of Christ is in him."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 4, p. 346.

12.

What will be the result of the

believer's making his calling and elec-

tion sure? 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

NOTE.—"Man is to cooperate with God,

employing every power according to his

God-given ability. . . .

[ 32

"Through the imparted grace of Christ,

he may be enabled to overcome. To be an

overcomer means more than many suppose

it means.. .

"We are to strive, wrestle, agonize,

watch, pray, lest we shall be overcome by

the wily foe. For the power and grace with

which we can do this comes from God,

and all the while we are to trust in Him,

who is able to save to the uttermost all

who come unto God by

Him."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 380, 381.

Lesson 10, for June 7, 1969

The Grace of God and the Covenants of the Bible

MEMORY VERSE:

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our

Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the

everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will,

working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ;

to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Heb. 13:20, 21.

STUDY HELPS:

"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 363-373; "SDA Bible Commen-

tary."

STUDY AIM:

To obtain a fuller understanding and appreciation of the covenants

of the Bible and of my relationship to God's covenant of grace today.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Covenants Compared

Some covenants enumerated.

Gen. 3:15; 8:21, 22; 15:18;

Ex. 19:5, 6.

The covenant of mercy and its

Mediator. Heb. 8:6.

The old and the new. Heb. 8:8-12.

II. The Everlasting Covenant

An immutable covenant of salva-

tion. Heb. 7:21, 22.

The promise before the world

began. Titus 1:2.

The ratification of this covenant.

Matt. 26:27, 28.

III. The Covenant of Grace in Action

The effect in the believer's life.

Eph. 1:3-5.

The believer's relation to God.

John 1:12.

The common principles in old and

new covenants. Ex. 19:5 (first

part) ; Heb. 5:9.

IV. Law and Grace Under the

New Covenant

10, The effect of grace and the

observance of law. Rom. 3:31.

11.

Jesus, the disciples, and their

attitude toward the Ten Com-

mandments. Matt. 5:21, 22 ;

19:17-19; Luke 23:56.

12.

Grace and justification. Rom.

3:23, 24.

13.

Grace and the transgression of

law. Rom. 6:1, 2.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"As the Bible presents two laws, one

changeless and eternal, the other pro-

visional and temporary, so there are two

covenants. The covenant of grace was

first made with man in Eden. . . . To all

men this covenant offered pardon and the

assisting grace of God for future obedience

through faith in Christ. It also promised

them eternal life on condition of fidelity

to God's law. Thus the patriarchs received

33 2

the hope of

salvation."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 370.

Men often made mutual covenants for

personal reasons, as when Abraham and

Abimelech "made a covenant" at Beer-

sheba (Gen. 21:27-32). Isaac covenanted

with Abimelech (Gen. 26:28), and Laban

with Jacob (Gen. 31:44), the Gibeonites

with Joshua (see Joshua 9:6, 11, 15, RSV,

where "covenant" is used instead of

"league").

The Covenants Compared

1. What are some of the covenants

mentioned in the Old Testament?

Gen. 3:15; 8:21, 22; 15:18; Ex. 19:

5, 6.

NOTE.—The Adamic covenant (Gen. 3:

15) is really God's covenant of grace with

mankind. "To man the first intimation of

redemption was communicated in the sen-

tence pronounced upon Satan in the gar-

den."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 65.

While Adam and Eve were now sinners

facing a life of toil and suffering, "they

could look forward to final victory."—

Ibid.,

p. 66.

The covenant with Noah (Gen. 8:21, 22;

compare 6:18) is the first Bible reference

to "covenant."

"With the assurance given to Noah con-

cerning the Flood, God Himself has linked

one of the most precious promises of His

grace: 'As I have sworn that the waters

of Noah should no more go over the

earth; so have I sworn that I would not

be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For

the mountains shall depart, and the hills

be removed; but My kindness shall not

depart from thee, neither shall the cov-

enant of My peace be removed, saith

Jehovah .that hath mercy on thee.'

"—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 107.

Here again is the repetition of the mercy

of God toward the repentant sinner.

The Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 15:18;

18:18; 22:18) has new and distinctive

features, such as its promise of a Redeemer

for the blessing of all nations.

The Mosaic covenant at Sinai, also

called the old covenant (Ex. 19:5, 6;

compare Heb. 8:8, 9), shares with the

Abrahamic covenant God's determination

to choose a special people as His own,

who would share communion and fellow-

ship with Him. It was sealed by the shed-

ding of blood. Ex. 24:8. The people failed

to keep this covenant (Heb. 8:8), and it

was replaced by the new covenant. Jer.

31:31-33.

Of what covenant is Jesus the

Mediator? Heb. 8:6. Compare Heb.

13:20.

NOTE.—"The salvation of the human

race has ever been the object of the coun-

cils of heaven. The covenant of mercy was

made before the foundation of the world.

It has existed from all eternity, and is

called the everlasting covenant. So surely

as there never was a time when God was

not, so surely there never was a moment

when it was not the delight of the eternal

mind to manifest His grace to humanity."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SD A Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 934.

"The atonement of Christ sealed for-

ever the everlasting covenant of grace.

It was the fulfilling of every condition

upon which God suspended the free com-

munication of grace to the human family.

Every barrier was then broken down

which intercepted the freest exercise of

grace, mercy, peace, and love to the most

guilty of Adam's race."—Ibid., p. 933.

What made a new covenant

necessary, and what was its relation

to the old? Heb. 8:8-12. Compare

Jer. 31:31-33.

NOTE.—"The terms of the 'old covenant'

were, Obey and live: 'If a man do, he shall

even live in them' . . . ; but 'cursed be he

that confirmeth not all the words of this

law to do them.' . . . The 'new covenant'

was established upon 'better promises'—

the promise of forgiveness of sins and of

the grace of God to renew the heart and

bring it into harmony with the principles

of God's law [Jer. 31:33, 34 here quoted]."

—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 372.

The Everlasting Covenant

What act made Jesus the surety

of a better covenant? Heb. 7:21, 22.

Compare Ps. 110:4; Heb. 6:17.

[ 84 ]

NOTE.—During the time of trouble pre-

ceding our Lord's return God's anxious

people hear His voice in thunder tones.

"God spoke the day and the hour of

Jesus' coming, and delivered the everlast-

ing covenant to His people. . . . The Israel

of God stood with their eyes fixed upward

listening to the words. . . . And when the

never-ending blessing was pronounced on

those who had honored God in keeping

His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty

shout of victory over the beast and over

his image."—Early

Writings,

page 34.

Compare

The Great Controversy,

page 640.

When did God make the promise

of eternal life to man? Titus 1:2.

NoTE.—When Zacharias prophesied

(Luke 1:67-79), he declared that in the

astonishing events of the births of Jesus

and John, the Lord had fulfilled a re-

demptive part of the Abrahamic covenant.

God initiated and executed His cove-

nant; man agreed, obeyed, and inherited

the blessing. Thus God's everlasting cove-

nant is an act of sovereign grace for the

salvation of every believing man.

"We owe everything to grace, free grace,

sovereign grace. Grace in the covenant

ordained our adoption. Grace in the Sav-

iour effected our redemption, our regen-

eration, and our adoption to heirship with

Christ. Let this grace be revealed to

others."—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 268.

How is the shedding of the

blood of the covenant symbolized?

Matt. 26:27, 28. Compare Heb. 13:

20, 21.

The Covenant of Grace in Action

What glorious privileges has

God bestowed on us through Jesus

Christ? Eph. 1:3-5.

NOTE.—"Before the foundations of the

earth were laid, the covenant was made

that all who were obedient, all who should

through the abundant grace provided, be-

come holy in character, and without blame

before God, by appropriating that grace,

should be children of

God."—Fundamen-

tals of Christian Education,

page 403.

What does the work of Jesus

enable the believer to become? John

1:12.

NOTE.—"Under the new covenant, the

conditions by which eternal life may be

gained are the same as under the old—

perfect obedience. Under the old cove-

nant, there were many offenses of a daring,

presumptuous character, for which there

was no atonement specified by law. In the

new and better covenant, Christ has ful-

filled the law for the transgressors of law,

if they receive Him by faith as a personal

Saviour. [John 1:12 quoted here in full.]"

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 931.

What was required of man un-

der both covenants? Ex. 19:5 (first

part); Heb. 5:9. Compare Matt. 19:

17-19.

NOTE.—"The same law that was en-

graved upon the tables of stone is written

by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the

heart [under the new covenant]. Instead

of going about to establish our own righ-

teousness we accept the righteousness of

Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His

obedience is accepted for us. Then the

heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring

forth 'the fruits of the Spirit.' Through

the grace of Christ we shall live in obedi-

ence to the law of God written upon our

hearts."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page

372.

"By His own obedience to the law,

Christ testified to its immutable char-

acter and proved that through His grace

it could be perfectly obeyed by every son

and daughter of

Adam."—Thoughts From

the Mount of Blessing,

page 49.

Law and Grace Under the

New Covenant

10.

What is the relationship be-

tween faith and law? Rom. 3:31.

[ 35 ]

NoTE.—"Now he asserts that law, viewed

as a revelation of the holy will of God

and of the eternal principles of morality, is

fully vindicated and established by the

gospel of righteousness by faith in Jesus

Christ. Jesus came to this earth to magnify

the law (Isa. 42:21; cf. Matt. 5:17) and to

reveal by His life of perfect obedience that

Christians can, through the empowering

grace of God, give obedience to His law."

—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Rom. 3:31.

11. What was the attitude of Jesus

and the disciples toward the precepts

of the Ten Commandments? Matt.

5:21, 22; 19:17-19; Luke 23:56.

NOTE.-"It

was Christ who had spoken

through Moses and the prophets (1 Peter

1:9, 10; PP 366). Now He appeared in

person to reaffirm the great eternal truths

revealed to these holy men of old, and to

restore them to their original luster, un-

tarnished by human tradition. . . . He came

to reveal the Father in His true character

(cf. Ex. 34:6, 7), to prevail upon men to

practice justice and mercy and to be

humble before God (Micah 6:6-8)."—

SDA

Bible Commentary,

on John 1:17.

"If we would have the spirit and power

of the third angel's message, we must

present the law and the gospel together, for

they go hand in

hand."—Gospel Workers,

page 161.

12.

What provision is made in the

gospel of Christ for the justification

of sinners? Rom. 3:23, 24.

Nom—Paul makes clear that even in

Abrahamic times the gospel of grace was

revealed (Gal. 3:8). Wherever people had

a knowledge of God's commandments they

also had redeeming grace made available

to them through faith.

13.

What searching questions does

Paul ask regarding sin and grace?

Rom. 6:1, 2.

Lesson 11, for June 14, 1969

Redeeming Grace and Predestination

MEMORY VERSE:

"For the wages of sin

is death; but the gift of God is eternal

life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

STUDY HELP:

"SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To seek to understand God's eternal purposes of grace through His

foreknowledge and

His desire that all should be saved.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Predetermined Will of God

Foreknowledge and predestination.

Rom. 8:29.

Called, justified, and glorified.

Rom. 8:30.

Called by the divine will.

Rom. 8:28.

II. Redeeming Grace for All Men

4. Salvation and reprobation.

1 Tim. 2:3, 4.

5. God's will and man's repentance.

2 Peter 3:9.

6. Everlasting life on one condition.

John 3:16.

III. God's Decrees and Man's Free Will

7. The eternal purpose. 2 Tim. 1:9.

8. The predetermined ways.

Rom. 6:16, 23.

C36]

The eternal and immutable de-

crees. Eph. 3:10, 11; Heb. 6:17, 18.

IV. God's Expectation in Men of Faith

10.

Assuring our calling and election.

2 Peter 1:10, 11.

11.

Producing the fruits of a Christ-

like life. 1 Peter 1:1-3.

12.

Shining forth in good works.

Eph. 2:10.

THE LESSON

may be renewed. Man may stand with the

moral image of God in his character; for

Jesus will give it to him. Unless the moral

image of God is seen in man, he can

never enter the City of God as a con-

queror."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1078.

Introduction

Scarcely any doctrine has caused such

bitter and lasting controversy from the

fourth century onward as the doctrine of

predestination. Involved in the endless dis-

putation were questions such as the sov-

ereign will of God, the free will of man,

the saving grace of God, the place of hu-

man effort, and salvation by grace through

faith.

Seventh-day Adventists have always be-

lieved that a loving God made provision

for every man's redemption by His free

grace, and that when men respond to the

appeals of redeeming grace they become

the elect and obedient children of God.

"The Father sets His love upon His

elect people who live in the midst of men.

These are the people whom Christ has

redeemed by the price of His own blood;

and because they respond to the drawing

of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of

God, they are elected to be saved as His

obedient children. Upon them is mani-

fested the free grace of God, the love

wherewith He bath loved them. Everyone

who will humble himself as a little child,

who will receive and obey the Word of

God with a child's simplicity, will be

among the elect of God."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

6, p. 1114.

The Predetermined Will of God

1. What does the Bible state about

God's foreknowledge in relation to

predestination? Rom. 8:29.

NoTE.—"For God knew His own before

ever they were, and also ordained that

they should be shaped to the likeness of

His Son." Rom. 8:29, NEB.

"Though the moral image of God was

almost obliterated by the sin of Adam,

through the merits and power of Jesus it

What does God do for those

whom He has predestinated? Rom.

8:30.

NOTE.—Men are called by the preaching

of the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). They are

justified by faith in Christ's atoning work

on the cross (Rom. 3:28) and by His

resurrection (Rom. 4:25) . Full glorifica-

tion is to come when the redeemed enter

into glory (Rom. 8:18).

According to whose purpose are

men called? Rom. 8:28.

NOTE.—"This Jesus, delivered up accord-

ing to the definite plan and foreknowledge

of God, you crucified and killed by the

hands of lawless men." Acts 2:23, RSV.

This statement of Peter in his sermon

at Pentecost indicates that he "has so de-

veloped his spiritual insight that he now

can see the working out of God's purpose,

in harmony with God's foreknowledge, in

the tragic events associated with Christ's

death."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Acts

2:23.

Redeeming Grace for All Men

What statement of the apostle

denies the belief that God decrees the

inevitable salvation of some and the

inevitable loss of others? 1 Tim. 2:

3,4.

[ 37

NOTE.—"The doctrine of the divine de-

crees, unalterably fixing the character of

men, had led many to a virtual rejection

of the law of God. Wesley steadfastly op-

posed the errors of the Antinomian teach-

ers and showed that this doctrine which

led to Antinomianism was contrary to the

Scriptures. 'The grace of God that bringeth

salvation hath appeared to

all men.'"—

The Great Controversy,

pages 261, 262.

How does Peter express God's

desire for the salvation of all men?

2 Peter 3:9.

NoTE.—"The Spirit of God will answer

the cry of every penitent heart; for re-

pentance is the gift of God, and an evi-

dence that Christ is drawing the soul to

Himself. We can no more repent of sin

without Christ, than we can be pardoned

without

Christ."—Selected Messages,

Bk.

1, p. 381.

On what condition is everlasting

life provided for all men? John 3:16.

Compare Acts 4:12.

NOTE.—"It is faith that enables us to

look beyond the present, with its burdens

and cares, to the great hereafter, where all

that now perplexes us shall be made plain.

Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator

at the right hand of God. Faith beholds

the mansions that Christ has gone to pre-

pare for those who love Him. Faith sees

the robe and crown prepared for the over-

comer, and hears the song of the re-

deemed."—Gospel Workers,

pages 259, 260.

God's Decrees and Man's

Free Will

When did God's purposes of sav-

ing grace begin to operate in our be-

half? 2 Tim. 1:9.

NOTE.—"Before

the world began. . . .

`Before times eternal,' that is, before the

long ages of this earth's history. In His

foreknowledge God was prepared to meet

the tragedy and crisis of sin before it

entered our world. . . . Because of God's

omniscience, past, present, and future are

alike known to Him ; no earthly event can

surprise Him. Knowing that sin would be

a personal attack by created beings against

His authority, and thus against His char-

acter, God was always prepared to dem-

onstrate His love and fairness, not only to

a sinless universe, but also before those

who had despised divine love."—SDA

Bi-

ble Commentary,

on 2 Tim. 1:9.

In what words does the apostle

show that individual choice is re-

lated to man's eternal destiny? Rom.

6:16, 23.

NOTE.—"Sin

pays

its servants: the wage

is death. But God

gives

to those who

serve Him: His free gift is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:

23, Phillips.

Each person journeying through life be-

comes conscious of two ways, one leading

to life, the other to disaster. He may

choose which way he prefers. If, despite

the warnings of God in Rom. 6:23, man

chooses the wrong road and is lost, never-

theless God desired him to choose the right

road and be saved. It is impossible to be

saved if we choose the road that leads to

death, and it is equally impossible to be

lost if we will constantly remain with

Christ on the road that leads to everlast-

ing life.

How are God's purpose and

counsel characterized? Eph. 3:10, 11;

Heb. 6:17, 18.

God's Expectation in Men

of Faith

10.

What is the believer admon-

ished to do with regard to his calling

and election? 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

NoTE.—There is no unconditional elec-

tion of men to salvation. Faith that leads

to obedience brings salvation. This is not

salvation by works, but salvation by grace

producing good works.

[

381

"If we comply with the conditions the

Lord has made, we shall secure our elec-

tion to salvation. Perfect obedience to His

commandments is the evidence that we love

God, and are not hardened in sin."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commen-

tary,

Vol. 6. p. 1079.

11. What did the apostle Peter say

regarding (1) the relation between

God's foreknowledge and man's elec-

tion? (2) the relation between sancti-

fication and election? (3) the new

birth to a living hope? 1 Peter 1:1-3.

NOTE.—The "elect" were the "chosen

ones" who had yielded to the Holy Spirit's

call, and they were therefore "sanctified by

the Spirit." RSV. Compare 2 Thess. 2:13.

"God's plan for a man, worked out in

connection with the sanctifying energy of

the Holy Spirit, produces the fruit of a

Christlike life."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

on 1 Peter 1:2.

"For every human being, Christ has paid

the election price. No one need be lost.

All have been redeemed. . . .

"Whom God elects, Christ redeems."—

Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 944.

12. What is the purpose of the new

creation? Eph. 2:10.

NoTE.—"God desires His people to show

by their lives the advantage of Christianity

over worldliness. We are to live so that

God can use us in His work of converting

men and women and leading them to wash

their garments of character and make them

white in the blood of the Lamb. We are

His workmanship, 'created in Christ Jesus

unto good works' (Eph. 2:10). Through

us God desires to reveal His manifold

wisdom. Therefore He bids us let our light

shine forth in good

works."—Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 2, p. 157.

Lesson 12, for June 21, 1969

Redeeming Grace and Christian Fellowship

MEMORY VERSE:

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace

given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of

Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which

from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all

things by Jesus Christ." Eph. 3:8, 9.

STUDY HELP:

"SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To seek to understand how divine grace makes possible fellowship

between God and man and between believers.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Mystery of Gracious Fellowship

Enabled by grace to preach and to

accept the mystery. Eph. 3:8, 9.

Revealed as "Christ in you, the

hope of glory." Col. 1:27.

Called unto fellowship. 1 Cor. 1:9.

II. The Implications of Gracious

Fellowship

Solemn fellowship at the Lord's

table. 1 Cor. 10:16-21.

Tasting death for every man,

by God's grace. Heb. 2:9 (last

part), 14 (first part).

Relationships with the Godhead.

1 John 1:3, 6.

[391

Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 13:14.

III. The Gracious Fellowship of

the Apostolic Church

Great grace and great power.

Acts 2:42.

Joyfulness and generosity.

2 Cor. 8:1-4, 6.

10.

Gracious actions. Gal. 2:9.

IV. The Practical Results of

Fellowship With God

11.

Entering the circle of Christian

fellowship. 1 John 1:3-5.

12.

Exhortation and warning.

1 John 1:7; 2 Cor. 6:14-16.

13.

Safeguarding the church. John

17:21.

THE LESSON

needed to bring salvation to the world.

And to men and women has been com-

mitted the sacred trust of making known

`the unsearchable riches of Christ.'

"—The

Acts of the Apostles,

page 134.

2. How does Paul describe the mys-

tery revealed through the preaching

of the gospel? Col. 1:27.

Introduction

The chief objects of God's creation were

persons,

not

things.

It was His desire to

dwell among men and women. When sin

changed human conditions, God's desire

for contact and fellowship with needy men

was magnified. It centered in the plan of

redemption, of which the great mysteries

of the incarnation and the atonement were

the focal points. These miracles linked God

and man forever through suffering and

conquest.

" 'Unto you it is given in the behalf of

Christ, not only to believe on Him, but

also to suffer for His sake.' Phil. 1:29. And

of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow

upon men, fellowship with Christ in His

sufferings is the most weighty trust and

the highest honor."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 225.

The Mystery of Gracious

Fellowship

1. By what was Paul enabled to

make men see "the fellowship of the

mystery"? Eph. 3:8, 9.

NoTE.—"Fellowship" here is "plan" in

the RSV, which is in accordance with

many other translations. It was God's

will to use believing men in a plan or

dispensation that would see the outpour-

ing of divine grace through the coming of

the Lord Jesus Christ among men for

their redemption.

"As His representatives among men, God

does not choose angels who have never

fallen, but human beings, men of like pas-

sions with those they seek to save. Christ

took humanity that He might reach hu-

manity. A divine-human Saviour was

NOTE.-"If

Christ is formed within, the

hope of glory, then the truth of God will

so act upon your natural temperament,

that its transforming agency will be re-

vealed in a changed

character."—Funda-

mentals of Christian Education,

page 263.

Into what were the Corinthian

believers called? 1 Cor. 1:9.

NoTE.—Verse 4 shows Paul's thankful-

ness for the enriching grace of God upon

these imperfect saints, who, in verses 8

and 9, were assured that if they persevered

in this grace, they would be preserved

blameless in "the fellowship of His Son

Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Implications of Gracious

Fellowship

What implications may be seen

in sincere communion at the Lord's

Supper? 1 Cor. 10:16-21.

NoTE.—"Communion" is an alternative

rendering of the Greek word

koinonia,

"fellowship." Sincerity in this communion

implies:

[40

]

(1)

Belief in salvation and a sacred

fellowship through faith in the sub-

stitutionary death of Christ (v. 16) ;

(2)

Acknowledgment of union in Christ

and unity through common faith in

His sacrifice for us (v. 17) ;

(3)

Renouncement of the service of evil

(v. 20) ;

(4)

Devotion to one Lord (v. 21).

"It is impossible to hold fellowship with

God and with Satan at the same time; one

or the other must be renounced."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

on 1 Cor. 10:21.

What did the grace of God lead

Jesus to do for us? Of what did Jesus

partake in common with mankind?

Heb. 2:9 (last part), 14 (first part).

NorE.—"Christ would take upon Him-

self the guilt and shame of sin—sin so

offensive to a holy God that it must

separate the Father and His Son. Christ

would reach to the depths of misery to

rescue the ruined

race."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 63.

"He was divine, but He took our human

nature, mysteriously blending the two na-

tures in one. . . . That He might enter

into all the experiences of mankind, Christ

became

man."—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Heb. 2:14.

With which two Persons of the

Godhead are believers said to be in

fellowship? What is said of the man

who claims to be in this fellowship

but whose life belies his profession?

1 John 1:3, 6.

What is said in the New Testa-

ment about the fellowship of the Holy

Spirit with believers? 2 Cor. 13:14.

Compare Phil. 2:1.

NoTE.—We have seen that believers have

fellowship with the Father and the Son

(1 John 1:3), and with the Holy Spirit

(2 Cor. 13:14), and with each other

(1 John 1:3).

The Gracious Fellowship of

the Apostolic Church

To what four things did the

earliest Christian converts give their

steadfast attention? Acts 2:42.

NOTE.—"Continuing steadfastly" means

waiting assiduously upon the doctrinal

teachings of the men who had lived with

the Lord. In their writings are found

teachings of Christ who said, "Go . . . and

teach . . . all things whatsoever I have

commanded you." Matt. 28:19, 20.

"The fellowship" of common beliefs be-

came intimate and sacred at the table of

the Lord. This was not a eucharistic "real

presence" and a renewed sacrifice by a

priest, but a gathering of those who be-

lieved in the atoning sacrifice of Christ

whose presence became real in every peni-

tent, faithful believer from Calvary on-

ward "till He come."

Into what did the grace of God

burst forth among the hard-pressed

Macedonians? 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 6.

NoTE.—Joyful and abundant

liberality

flourished among these poverty-stricken

believers, who thereupon begged to be

granted a part in a fellowship of service.

In Rom. 15:26 and 2 Cor. 9:13 the Greek

koinonia

is used of this collection for

needy saints. Thus spiritual fellowship and

practical service go together in the Chris-

tian church. We are in a "fellowship of

ministering."

"The willingness to sacrifice on the part

of the Macedonian believers came as a

result of wholehearted consecration. . . .

"Unselfish liberality threw the early

church into a transport of joy; for the

believers knew that their efforts were

helping to send the gospel message to

those in darkness. Their benevolence testi-

fied that they had not received the grace

of God in vain. What could produce such

liberality but the sanctification of the

Spirit? In the eyes of believers and un-

believers it was a miracle of grace."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pages 343, 344.

[ 411

10.

By what gracious act did the

leading brethren in Jerusalem re-

ceive Paul and Barnabas into intimate

Christian relationship? Gal. 2:9.

NoTE.—This was one of the most try-

ing periods of the early church, for severe

internal pressures were added to harassing

external hatreds. It was no time for prej-

udice, friction, and personal considera-

tions. The apostles' mutual love expressed

the unity of Christian fellowship, and the

"right hand of fellowship" was the out-

ward sign of these things.

When facing forbidding difficulties in

Europe in 1902, Ellen G. White wrote:

"Troublous times are before us, but if we

stand together in Christian fellowship,

none striving for supremacy, God will

work mightily for

us."—Testirnonies,

Vol.

8, p. 38.

The Practical Results of

Fellowship With God

11.

What reasons are given by John

for the preaching of the gospel by the

apostles? 1 John 1:3-5.

Noxs.—"The claim to fellowship with

God must be demonstrated by its practical

results. There will be a two-sided life—

thought and action, prayer and work (MH

512). To practice the presence of God is

to be conscious at all times of His near-

ness through His Holy Spirit. Every

thought, every word, every act, reflects

consciousness of His loving presence and

His all-seeing eye. We have come to love

Him. We know that He has always loved

us, and we are grateful for His care (Ps.

139:1-12; Jer. 31:3). As naturally as a

child confidently slips his hand into that

of his father at the approach of danger,

and keeps it there even when the danger is

past, so the child of God walks with his

heavenly Father. Such is true 'fellowship

with Him.'

"—SDA Bible Commentary,

1 John 1:6.

12.

How are the believers said to

find mutual fellowship? What human

fellowship is to be avoided? 1 John

1:7; 2 Cor. 6:14-16.

NoTE.—Christians who have "obtained

like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1) as a gift

of God's grace find their fellowship "one

with another."

Paul strongly exhorted Christians: "Do

not unite yourselves with unbelievers; they

are no fit mates for you." 2 Cor. 6:14,

NEB.

" 'Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers,' refers not only to the

marriage of Christians with the ungodly,

but to all alliances in which the parties

are brought into intimate association, and

in which there is need of harmony in

spirit and

action."—Evangelism,

page 617.

"Every union in which the character,

beliefs, and interests of the Christian lose

anything of their distinctiveness and in-

tegrity, is hereby prohibited. A Christian

cannot afford to enter into any connection

with the world that calls for compromise."

—SDA Bible Commentary,

on 2 Cor. 6:14.

13.

In what striking words did

Jesus pray for the unity of believers

among themselves and with their

Lord? How was this unity to affect

men of the world? John 17:21. Com-

pare 1 Cor. 1:10.

NOTE.—"As Jesus was about to leave

His disciples, He prayed for them in a

most touching, solemn manner that they all

might be one [John 17:21 here quoted]."—

Testimonies,

Vol. 3, p. 446.

"God wants His people to be united in

the closest bonds of Christian fellowship;

confidence in our brethren is essential to

the prosperity of the church; union of

action is important in a religious crisis.

One imprudent step, one careless action,

may plunge the church into difficulties and

trials from which it may not recover for

years. One member of the church filled

with unbelief may give an advantage to the

great foe that will affect the prosperity of

the entire church, and many souls may be

lost as the result."—Ibid.

The money you give is all

the money you ever truly

save.

[ 42 ]

Lesson 13, for June 28, 1969

Grace and Power in the Remnant Church

MEMORY VERSE:

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take

the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast

redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and

people, and nation." Rev. 5:9.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Great Controversy," chapter 38; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To see the condition of the world and the power of God in His

remnant people during the final conflict between Christ and Satan.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Condition of the World in the

Last Days

Attitude

to religion in the last

days. 2 Peter 3:3.

Description of the last days.

2 Tim. 3:1-5.

II. The Condition of the Church

in the Last Days

God's power to meet last-day

conditions. Acts 2:16, 17.

Accelerated evil met by special

grace. Rev. 12:12.

Church should seek diligently to

be without spot. 2 Peter 3:14.

Proof of divine sustenance in the

last conflict. Dan. 12:1.

III. The Church and the Final Revival

Holy Spirit available for every

believer. Luke 11:13.

Corroboration from Ellen G.

White statements. TM 17 ; PK 725,

259, 260; TM 18.

Conditions ensuing from a Spirit-

filled church. Eph. 4:3.

IV. The World Enlightened by God's

Truth Through His Church

10.

Old Testament prophecy inter-

preted by Paul and Barnabas.

Acts 13:47.

11.

World enlightened by third angel's

message. Rev. 14:6-12.

12.

A further message of enlighten-

ment. Rev. 18:1-4.

13.

Songs of the redeemed. Rev. 15:3.

THE LESSON

Introduction



gaged in the climactic struggle of the ages.

"Looking down through the ages to the



the New Testament a sense of the



close of time, Peter was inspired to out-



imminence of Christ's second coming and



line conditions that would exist in the



of the end of the age, brought vividly into



world just prior to the second coming of



Christian thinking the fact of a remnant



Christ. 'There shall come in the last days



church. This church would face tribula-



scoffers,' he wrote, 'walking after their own



tion in a wicked world. There would be



lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of



a great outpouring of power on God's



His coming? for since the fathers fell

church, and a great manifestation of evil - asleep, all things continue as they were



in the world, and the two would be en-



from the beginning of the creation.' But

[ 43

`when they shall say, Peace and safety;

then sudden destruction cometh upon

them.' 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Not all, how-

ever, would be ensnared by the enemy's

devices. As the end of all things earthly

should approach, there would be faithful

ones able to discern the signs of the times.

While a large number of professing be-

lievers would deny their faith by their

works, there would be a remnant who

would endure to the

end."—The Acts of

the Apostles,

pages 535, 536.

The Condition of the World

in the Last Days

What characteristics of worldly

men in the last days does Peter men-

tion? 2 Peter 3:3. Compare Jude 18.

NotE.—"Note this first: in the last days

there will come men who scoff at religion

and live self-indulgent lives." 2 Peter 3:3,

NEB.

"Marvelous beyond expression is the

blindness of the people of this generation.

Thousands reject the Word of God as un-

worthy of belief and with eager confidence

receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics

and scoffers denounce the bigotry of those

who contend for the faith of prophets and

apostles, and they divert themselves by

holding up to ridicule the solemn declara-

tions of the Scriptures concerning Christ

and the plan of salvation, and the retribu-

tion to be visited upon the rejecters of the

truth."—The

Great Controversy,

page 561.

"Multitudes feel under no moral obli-

gation to curb their sensual desires, and

they become the slaves of lust. Men are

living for the pleasures of sense; for this

world and this life

alone."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

pages 101, 102.

What expression is used by Paul

to describe the last days and con-

ditions that would exist in the world?

2 Tim. 3:1-5.

NoTE.—For "perilous times" we may

read "times of stress" (RSV), or "a time

of troubles" (NEB). The Greek word

translated "perilous" may also be rendered

"grievous" or "oppressive." Such times

are produced by men of the character seen

in these verses. They are "implacable in

their hatreds" (NEB). They commit and

tolerate crime, violence, and lawlessness

on an unprecedented scale.

"There is coming rapidly and surely an

almost universal guilt upon the inhabitants

of the cities, because of the steady increase

of determined wickedness."—Prophets

and

Kings,

page 275.

"The Spirit of God is gradually but

surely being withdrawn from the earth.

Plagues and judgments are already falling

upon the despisers of the grace of God."

—Evangelism,

pages 31, 32.

"The agencies of evil are combining

their forces and consolidating. They are

strengthening for the last great crisis."—

Testimonies,

Vol. 9, p. 11.

The Condition of the Church

in the Last Days

In the midst of last-day condi-

tions, what has the Lord promised to

His faithful servants? Acts 2:16, 17.

Compare Joel 2:28.

NOTE.—"Peter identified the events on

the day of Pentecost as a partial fulfill-

ment of Joel's prophecy (Acts 2:16-21).

Instead of `afterward' Peter used the phrase

`in the last days' (v.

17)."—SDA Bible

Commentary,

on Joel 2:28.

"This prophecy [Joel 2:28] . . . will

reach its full accomplishment in the mani-

festation of divine grace which will attend

the closing work of the gospel."—The

Great Controversy,

page ix.

What counterworking satanic

power was foretold by John? Rev.

12:12.

"Time

is short, and our

forces must be organized to

do a larger

work."—Testi-

monies,

Vol. 9, p. 27.

[44]

NoTE.—"When the apostles of Christ

were to bear His gospel to the world and

to record it for all future ages, they were

especially endowed with the enlightenment

of the Spirit. But as the church approaches

her final deliverance, Satan is to work

with greater power. He comes down 'hav-

ing great wrath, because he knoweth that

he hath but a short time.' Revelation 12:

12. He will work 'with all power and

signs and lying wonders.' 2 Thessalonians

2:9. For six thousand years that master-

mind that once was highest among the

angels of God has been wholly bent to

the work of deception and ruin. And all

the depths of satanic skill and subtlety

acquired, all the cruelty developed, during

these struggles of the ages, will be brought

to bear against God's people in the final

conflict."—The

Great Controversy,

pages

ix, x.

While awaiting Christ's second

coming, what are we exhorted to

seek diligently? 2 Peter 3:14.

What glorious promise is given

that God will sustain and deliver His

remnant people? Dan. 12:1.

The Church and the Final Revival

What did Jesus affirm regarding

the availability of the Holy Spirit for

every believer? Luke 11:13.

NOTE.—"The descent of the Holy Spirit

upon the church is looked forward to as

in the future; but it is the privilege of

the

church to have it now. Seek for it,

pray for it, believe for it. We must have

it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it."

—Evangelism,

page 701.

"A work of worldwide extent and un-

wonted power is here foretold. The advent

movement of 1840-44 was a glorious mani-

festation of the power of God; . . . but

these are to be exceeded by the mighty

movement under the last warning of the

"As our physical life is sus-

tained by food, so our spiri-

tual life is sustained by the

Word of God. And every

soul is to receive life from

God's Word for himself."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 390.

third

angel."—The Great Controversy,

page 611.

8. How does Ellen G. White de-

scribe the condition and power of the

church militant in the final conflict?

ANSWER:

"The church is to be fed with manna

from heaven and to be kept under the sole

guardianship of His grace. Clad in com-

plete armor of light and righteousness, she

enters upon her final

conflict."—Testimo-

nies to Ministers,

page 17.

"'Fair

as the moon, clear as the sun,

and terrible as an army with banners'

(Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go

forth into all the world, conquering and

conquer."—Prophets and Kings,

page

725.

"The church of Christ is God's agency

for the proclamation of truth; she is em-

and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His

commandments, there will dwell within her

the excellency of divine power. If she will

be true to her allegiance, there is no power

that can stand against her. The forces of

the enemy will be no more able to over-

whelm her than is the chaff to resist the

whirlwind.

"There is before the church the dawn of

a bright, glorious day, if she will put on

the robe of Christ's righteousness, with-

drawing from all allegiance to the world."

—Prophets and Kings,

pages 259, 260.

"The gift of His Holy Spirit, rich,

full, and abundant, is to be to His church

as an encompassing wall of fire, which the

powers of hell shall not prevail against"—

Testimonies to Ministers,

page 18.

9. What are believers admonished

to endeavor to maintain? Eph. 4:3.

[ 45 ]

Nom—Contrast these conditions with

those in the hostile world in the last days

(2 Tim. 3:1-5, discussed under question 2

above). "Make it your aim to be at one

in the Spirit, and you will inevitably be at

peace with one another." Eph. 4:3, Phil-

lips. "Spare no effort to make fast with

bonds of peace the unity which the Spirit

gives." NEB. We do not find confusion

and disunity where God's Spirit reigns in

the church.

When encouraging the church to accept

the responsibility of a world mission pro-

gram, the servant of God wrote: "The

church is to work actively, as an organized

body, to spread abroad the influence of

the cross of

Christ."—Gospel Workers,

page 464.

Organization that is guided by the Holy

Spirit moves forward in peace and power.

"When the work is carried on in this

way ['standing . . . shoulder to shoulder,

marching right ahead, and not drawing

off'], there is unity of heart, and there

will be harmony of action. This will be a

wonderful means of bringing the blessing

of God upon the

people."—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 50.

The World Enlightened by God's

Truth Through His Church

10. What prophecy did the apos-

tles use to prove that the whole world

is to be enlightened? Acts 13:47. Com-

pare Isa. 42:6.

NOTE.—"It is the love of God continu-

ally transferred to man that enables him

to impart light. . . .

"In the great and measureless gift of

the Holy Spirit are contained all of heav-

en's resources. It is not because of any

restriction on the part of God that the

riches of His grace do not flow earthward

to men. If all were willing to receive, all

would become filled with His Spirit.

"It is the privilege of every soul to be

Have you given your Birth-

day-Thank Offering yet?

a living channel through which God can

communicate to the world the treasures of

His grace, the unsearchable riches of

Christ."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page

419.

11.

To meet the needs of this crisis

hour, what messages of warning are

sent to the world? Rev. 14:6-12.

12.

What further message of en-

lightenment comes from heaven to

awaken the church and the peoples of

earth? Rev. 18:1-4.

NoTE.—"The work of this angel [of

Rev. 18] comes in at the right time to

join in the last great work of the third

angel's message, as it swells to a loud

cry. . . . I saw a great light resting upon

them [`the people of God'], and they

united to fearlessly proclaim the third an-

gel's message. . . .

"The light that was shed upon the wait-

ing ones penetrated everywhere. . . . I

saw that this message will close with

power and strength far exceeding the mid-

night cry.

"Servants of God, endowed with power

from on high, with their faces lighted

up, and shining with holy consecration,

went forth to proclaim the message from

heaven."—Early

Writings,

pages 277-279.

13.

When the final outpouring of

redeeming grace has brought full re-

demption to the saints in heaven, in

what words do they praise God?

Rev. 15:3.

NOTE.—"God has a church on earth who

are lifting up the downtrodden law, and

presenting to the world the Lamb of God

that taketh away the sins of the world.

The church is the depositary of the wealth

of the riches of the grace of Christ, and

through the church eventually will be made

manifest the final and full display of the

love of God to the world that is to be

lightened with its

glory."—Testimonies to

Ministers,

page 50.

[ 46 ]

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

June 28, 1969

South American Division

The overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering to be taken in Sab-

bath Schools around the world on June 28 will go to the South American

Division. Three schools in this great division will benefit from this offer-

ing. They are as follows:

Chile College. This institution urgently needs a new dormitory for

the boys. For almost thirty years they have been living in a provisional

one, erected after the 1939 earthquake, which badly damaged the original.

It was built for 150 students. There are now 260.

Northeast Brazil College. This college does not have a suitable

place in which to hold religious meetings. The present meeting place

provides no shelter against rain or sun. The most urgent need is for an

auditorium that would serve as a chapel.

Espirito Santo Academy. This is a new institution at Colatina,

Espirito Santo, Brazil. The girls' dormitory is in bad shape. It is an old

house, completely inadequate.

Our brethren in South America are counting strongly on the proverbial

Seventh-day Adventist liberality to provide funds to meet these urgent

needs. Won't you do your best when the offering is taken on June 28?

Lessons for the Third Quarter of 1969

Sabbath School members who have not received a senior

Lesson Quarterly

for

the third quarter of 1969 will be helped by the following outline in studying the

first lesson. The title of the series is "Divine Commands and Promises." The title

of the first lesson is "Look Now Toward Heaven." The memory verse is Genesis

15:5. The texts to be studied are:

Ques. 1. Gen. 15:1, 2, 5.

Ques. 2. Gen. 15:1.

Ques. 3. Gen. 15:5, 7.

Ques. 4. Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:6.

Ques. 5. Heb. 11:27.

Ques. 6. Rev. 4:1, 2.

[47]

Ques. 7. Ps. 36:5; 90:14.

Ques. 8. John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-11.

Ques. 9. Ps. 121:1, 2.

Ques. 10. Isa. 40:26, 28-31; Matt. 28:18.

Ques. 11. Luke 21:25-28.

Ques. 12. Col. 3:1-4.

ESPIRITO SANTO ACADEMY

GIRLS' DORMITORY

BOLIVIA

•

LA PAZ

NORTHEAST BRAZIL

COLLEGE AUDITORIUM

•

QUITO

ECUADOR

—I ii

—



I Ili I

RECIFE •

VITORIA

•

RIO DE JANEIRO

CHILE COLLEGE

BOYS

DORMITORY

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

ARGENTINA

SANTIAGO

URUGUAY

•

DE CHILE

•



MONTEVIDEO

CHILLAN



BUENOS AIRES

SOUTH AMERICAN

DIVISION

Church



Sob. Sch.

Unions



22ilatu



Churches



Memb.



Memb.

Austral

25,280,348

131

20,341

19,061

Chile

8,377,821

13,784

10,657

East Brazil

39,254,000

185

39,789

38,333

Inca

21,312,500

182

48,311

44,456

North

Brazil

11,545,000

13,466

12,668

South Brazil

34,723,000

276

....

70,448

70,469

TOTALS

140,492,669

894

206,139

195,644

PACIFIC

OCEAN